Harvesting cam reel with convertible transport mode

HARVESTING CAM REEL WITH CONVERTIBLE TRANSPORT MODE ⁵ . ; _ __ Honeyetal. ' · ' - -:

This invention is in the field of harvesting equipment, and in particular for rotary reels on crop material halves tin g or cutting headers and the drive svstems used therefore.

BACKGROUND:

It is known in the field of crop harvesting equipment to employ harvesting headers to cut crops for various purposes, such as lèeding a combine harvester or swathing crop material.

At the front of a combine or swather is the portion referred to as the header. A fipical header is equipped with a cutter bar. and a conveyor deck or surface behind the cutter bar onto which cut crop material will fall, and a rear wall of the header, which extends up from the rear of the crop catching surface.

2Ü

The reel in a harvesting header is typically designed to be approximately the same width as the header. The reel shaft is mounted between two rotational mounts at either end

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Page 3 thereof, with a power drive attached to rotate the reel shaft. There is then a plurality of reel bats with fingers that are equally spaced about tire reel shaft, and held in position by a plurality of radially extending arms out from the shaft. Rotation of the reel shaft results in the rotation of the reel bats and lingers through die crop in front of tile header, drawing the 5 crop material into the cutter bar and the remainder of the device.

Harvesting headers now manufactured with fingers attached to die reel bats typically have the reel bats themselves rotatably mounted in relation to their attachment points, and include a cam mechanism that by selective or guided rotation of die reel bat during the 10 rotation of the overall reel, allows die tips of die fingers to follow a more complex path, into, through and out of the crop material as die reel turns. The cams aie of different shapes including circular or otherwise, dependent upon the path of travel that is desired for the fingers. Example of prior ail patents in the area of die use of cam mechanisms to orient or adjust the orientation of the fingers on reel bats during die rotation of a harvesting header 15 reel include U.S. Patent Nos. 4,008,558 (Mott) and 5,768,870 (Talbot el al.'}.

Often the header or reel is transported by loading the header onto a transport trailer or other platform designed to orient the header lengthwise so it can be traiiered in the direction of travel of a power unit such as a tractor or a tiuck. The size of many headers and their 20 associated reel is such that there ai e many protruding pails, particularly the fingers along the top and crop facing face of tile reel. These fingers ar e often made of plastic or other shcarable material, which allows for simpler maintenance of die reel.

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The design of prior art reels is such that the fingers, particularly’ those facing the crop entrv and cutting area, are oriented in a fully outstretched or radial direction as they need to be in order to provide maximum engagement with crop material. However, this creates a problem during transport of the header since extended fingers are more susceptible to damage and breakage due to be exposed. As a result, many times following transport tire first task that must be undertaken before the header can be used again is to replace any broken or bent fingers as a result of the transport. The same issue of protruding components exists in circumstances where the header and associated reel are transported in operating position on the harvesting unit.

Accordingly, a harvesting header reel that minimized the protruding profile of the bat fingers during transport would be desirable as a means of minimizing damage.

SUMMARY OF THE INT ENTION:

Πιε present disclosure is generally directed to the concept of a cam reel that has a operating mode and a convertible transport mode, whereby the reel bats can be moved to a position such that protrusion of fingers, and the risk of damage to die same, will be minimized when in the transport mode.

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The key differentiator of the present disclosure from prior ai t harvesting header and cam reel combinations in the prior art is in die cam system dial is used. The crop-harvesting header as disclosed herein includes a reel for moving crop material into the cutter bar and onto the conveyor deck. Tie reel includes a reel shaft that has a first end and a second end and a reel axis. The reel shaft is rotatably mounted to and between the reel ends of the frame, and also has a rotational power source connected thereto tor the purpose of rotation of the reel shaft in operation of the header. When rotational power is applied to the reel shaft during operation of the header, the reel rotates around the reel axis defined by die shaft to provide the sweeping action necessary’ to engage the crop being harvested.

The reel will also include a plurality’ of reel bats that arc mounted in spaced apart positions around die circumference of the reel shaft. Each reel bat comprises a bat member with a bat axis, and a plurality' of crop fingers attached thereto and extending generally radially outwardly from the reel shaft. The crop fingers will engage the crop material as the header and the reel on the front of die header are moved dirough a standing crop.

The reel bats as outlined are attached in spaced apart positions around the circumference of the reel shaft. It is specifically contemplated diat each reel bat is attached by, and corresponds to. a plurality of radial arms extending outwardly iront the reel shaft. These radial aims that attach the reel bats in a typical cam reel design aie sometimes interchangeably referred to as spiders” in the prior art as well. It is specifically contemplated that at least two radial amis would be required for the mounting of each reel

Page 6 bat to the reel shaft, one of each pair of such at least two radial arms being in proximity to each end of the reel shaft and the bat member. For increased rigidity or stability in the construction of the remainder of the reel however, any number of radial arms could be used to attach each reel bat. The radial arms for all of the reel bats would be generally the same length as well of the bat arms for each reel bat, and the reel ends of the radial arms would define when viewed from the side a circular bat path through which the radial arms would move during rotation of the reel shaft.

The invention also provides that the cam assembly is adjustable between one or more operating positions, and a transport position. When in the transport position, the cam will be rotated such that the cam followers rotate the bats and fingers so that fingers, especially those at the front of the header and which are most susceptible to damage, will be rotated generally inwards, protecting them from damage and/or contact with persons or structures as can occur in prior art systems.

In accordance with one disclosed aspect there is provided a harvesting header for harvesting crop material as the header is driven. The harvesting header includes an aggregator operable to receive and aggregate the crop material, and a reel rotatably connected to the aggregator such that the reel is operable to be disposed forward of the aggregator when the header is driven and the crop material is harvested, the reel being rotatable with respect to the aggregator about a reel axis. The reel also includes a plurality of reel bats, each of the reel bats being spaced apart from the reel axis and pivotal about a respective bat axis. Each of the reel bats includes at least one finger extending generally away from the respective bat axis. The harvesting header also includes a reel bat positioner operable to vary an angular orientation of each of the reel

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Page 7 bats about the bat axis dependent upon an angular position of the reel bat about the reel axis, the reel bat positioner being configurable between an operating configuration and a transport configuration, the header operable such that when the header is driven and the reel bat positioner is in the operating configuration, the reel bat positioner causes a first reel bat of the plurality of reel bats, having an angular position about the reel axis such that the first reel bat is disposed forward of the reel axis, to have an operating angular orientation about the bat axis the at least one finger of the first reel bat extends substantially radially outwardly from and relative to the reel axis. The header further operable such that when the header is stationary and configured for transportation above a surface and the reel bat positioner is in the transport configuration, the reel bat positioner causes the first reel bat having the angular position about the reel axis to have a transport angular orientation about the bat axis which differs from the operating angular orientation, when the first reel bat is in the transport angular orientation, the at least one finger of the first reel bat is operable to extend upwardly relative to the surface such that the at least one finger is operable to be substantially protected from damage during transport of the header.

The operating angular orientation of the first reel bat may be a first reel bat operating angular orientation and the transport angular orientation of the first reel bat may be a first reel bat transport angular orientation and the header may be further operable such that when the header is driven and the reel bat positioner is in the operating configuration, the reel bat positioner causes the first reel bat to have the first reel bat operating angular orientation and further causes a second reel bat of the plurality of reel bats to have a second reel bat operating angular orientation about the bat axis where the at least one finger of the second reel bat extends substantially radially outwardly from and relative to

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Page 8 the reel axis, and when the header is stationary and configured for transportation above the surface and the reel bat positioner is in the transport configuration, the reel bat positioner causes the first reel bat to have the first reel bat transport angular orientation and causes the second reel bat to have a second reel bat transport orientation about the bat axis which differs from the second reel bat operating angular orientation, and when the second reel bat is in the second reel bat transport angular orientation, the at least one finger of the second reel bat is operable to extend upwardly relative to the surface such that the at least one finger is operable to be substantially protected from damage during transport of the header, the first reel bat transport angular orientation and the second reel bat transport angular orientation being substantially similar angles.

The header may be further operable such that when the header is stationary and configured for transportation above the surface and the reel bat positioner is in the transport configuration, the reel bat positioner causes the fingers of the first and second reel bats to be substantially aligned.

The operating configuration may be a first operating configuration and the reel bat positioner is configurable into one or more further operating configurations.

The reel bat positioner may be rotatably connected to the aggregator and the reel bat positioner may be rotatable between a positioner operating orientation and wherein the reel bat positioner is in the operating configuration and a positioner transport orientation wherein the reel bat positioner is in the transport configuration.

The header may include a positioner lock operable to lock the reel bat positioner in the

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Page 9 positioner operating orientation when the reel bat positioner is in the positioner operating orientation and operable to lock the reel bat positioner in the positioner transport orientation when the reel bat positioner is in the positioner transport orientation.

The positioner lock may include a locking pin operable to be extended through first and second lock-engaging holes of a plurality of lock engaging holes in the reel bat positioner to lock the reel bat positioner in the positioner operating orientation and the positioner transport orientation respectively.

The reel bat positioner may include a cam rotatably connected to the aggregator and rotatable between the positioner operating orientation and the positioner transport orientation, and respective cam followers engaged with the cam and coupled to each of the plurality of reel bats.

The cam may be a first cam disposed around a first end of the reel and the cam followers may be first cam followers, and the reel bat positioner may include a second cam rotatably connected to the aggregator at around a second end of the reel and rotatable between the positioner operating orientation and the positioner transport orientation, and respective second cam followers engaged with the second cam and coupled to each of the plurality of reel bats.

The header may include first and second positioner locks operable to lock the first and second cams respectively in the positioner operating orientation when the reel bat positioner is in the positioner operating orientation and operable to lock the first and second cams respectively in the positioner transport orientation when the reel bat

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Page 9A positioner is in the positioner transport orientation.

The reel may include a plurality of radial arms holding the plurality of reel bats spaced apart from the reel axis and when the reel bat positioner is in the transport configuration, the at least one finger of the first reel bat may be generally retracted into a position within a path defined by distal ends of the radial arms.

The header may include a reel lock operable to prevent rotation of the reel about the reel axis during transport.

The aggregator may include an auger or a draper conveyor.

A method of transporting a header as described above may involve causing the reel bat positioner to change configuration from the operating configuration to the transport configuration, and transporting the header.

Transporting the header may involve disconnecting the header from a harvesting vehicle and loading the header onto a transporter for transport.

The transporter may be operable to move in a travel direction and loading the header onto the transporter may involve causing the reel axis of the reel of the header to be substantially aligned with the travel direction.

In accordance with another disclosed aspect there is provided a harvesting header for harvesting crop material as the header is driven. The harvesting header includes an

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Page 9B aggregator operable to receive and aggregate the crop material, and a reel rotatably connected to the aggregator such that the reel is operable to be disposed forward of the aggregator when the header is driven and the crop material is harvested, the reel being rotatable with respect to the aggregator about a reel axis. The reel includes a plurality of reel bats, each of the reel bats being spaced apart from the reel axis and pivotal about a respective bat axis, each of the reel bats includes at least one finger extending generally away from the respective bat axis. The harvesting header also includes a reel bat positioner operable to vary an angular orientation of each of the reel bats about the bat axis dependent upon an angular position of the reel bat about the reel axis, the reel bat positioner being configurable between an operating configuration and a transport configuration, the header operable such that when the header is driven and the reel bat positioner is in the operating configuration, the reel bat positioner causes a first reel bat of the plurality of reel bats, having an angular position about the reel axis such that the first reel bat is disposed forward of the reel axis, to have an operating angular orientation about the bat axis the at least one finger of the first reel bat extends substantially radially outwardly from and relative to the reel axis. The header is further operable such that when the header is stationary and configured for transportation across a surface and the reel bat positioner is in the transport configuration, the reel bat positioner causes the first reel bat having the angular position about the reel axis to have a transport angular orientation about the bat axis which differs from the operating angular orientation, when the first reel bat is in the transport angular orientation, the at least one finger of the first reel bat is operable to extend further from the surface when compared to the at least one finger of the first reel bat when the first reel is in the operating angular orientation such that the at least one finger is operable to be substantially protected from damage during transport of the header.

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In accordance with another disclosed aspect there is provided a method of transporting a harvesting header, the harvesting header operable for harvesting crop material as the header is driven, the header including a frame, a reel rotatably inter-connected to the frame and being rotatable about a longitudinally extending reel axis, the reel including a plurality of reel bats, each of the reel bats being spaced apart from the reel axis and pivotal about a respective bat axis, each of the reel bats including at least one finger extending generally away from the respective bat axis, and a reel bat positioner operable to vary an angular orientation of each of the reel bats about the bat axis dependent upon an angular position of the reel bat about the reel axis, the reel bat positioner being configurable between an operating configuration and a transport configuration. The header is operable such that when the header is driven and the reel bat positioner is in the operating configuration, the reel bat positioner causes a first reel bat of the plurality of reel bats, having an angular position about the reel axis such that the first reel bat is disposed forward of the reel axis, to have an operating angular orientation about the bat axis the at least one finger of the first reel bat extends substantially radially outwardly from and relative to the reel axis. The header is further operable such that when the header is stationary and configured for transportation above a surface and the reel bat positioner is in the transport configuration, the reel bat positioner causes the first reel bat having the angular position about the reel axis to have a transport angular orientation about the bat axis which differs from the operating angular orientation. The method involves causing the reel bat positioner to change a configuration of the header from the operating position to the transport configuration, and transporting the header with the header in the transport configuration.

When the first reel bat is in the transport angular orientation, the at least one finger of the

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Page 9D first reel bat is operable to extend upwardly relative to the surface such that the at least one finger is operable to be substantially protected from damage during transport of the header.

The operating angular orientation of the first reel bat may be a first reel bat operating angular orientation and the transport angular orientation of the first reel bat may be a first reel bat transport angular orientation and the method may further involve driving the header such that when the header is driven and the reel bat positioner is in the operating configuration, the reel bat positioner causes the first reel bat to have the first reel bat operating angular orientation and further causes a second reel bat of the plurality of reel bats to have a second reel bat operating angular orientation about the bat axis where the at least one finger of the second reel bat extends substantially radially outwardly from and relative to the reel axis, and when the header is stationary and configured for transportation above the surface and the reel bat positioner is in the transport configuration, the reel bat positioner causes the first reel bat to have the first reel bat transport angular orientation and causes the second reel bat to have a second reel bat transport orientation about the bat axis which differs from the second reel bat operating angular orientation, when the second reel bat is in the second reel bat transport angular orientation, the at least one finger of the second reel bat is operable to extend upwardly relative to the surface such that the at least one finger is operable to be substantially protected from damage during transport of the header, the first reel bat transport angular orientation and the second reel bat transport angular orientation being substantially similar angles.

The header may be further operable such that when the header is stationary and

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Page 9E configured for transportation above the surface and the reel bat positioner is in the transport configuration, the reel bat positioner causes the fingers of the first and second reel bats to be substantially aligned.

The operating configuration may be a first operating configuration and the reel bat positioner is configurable into one or more further operating configurations.

The header may include a positioner lock operable to lock the reel bat positioner in the positioner operating orientation when the reel bat positioner is in the positioner operating orientation and operable to lock the reel bat positioner in the positioner transport orientation when the reel bat positioner is in the positioner transport orientation, and the method may further involve locking the reel bat positioner in the positioner operating orientation when the reel bat positioner is in the positioner operating orientation, locking the reel bat positioner in the positioner transport orientation when the reel bat positioner is in the positioner transport orientation.

The reel may include a plurality of radial arms holding the plurality of reel bats spaced apart from the reel axis and when the reel bat positioner is in the transport configuration, the at least one finger of the first reel bat may be generally retracted into a position within a path defined by distal ends of the radial arms.

The header may further include a reel lock operable to prevent rotation of the reel about the reel axis during transport, and the method may further involve operating the reel lock to prevent rotation of the reel about the reel axis during transport.

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

While the invention is claimed in the concluding portions hereof, preferred embodiments are provided in the accompanying detailed description which may be best understood in conjunction with the accompanying diagrams where like parts in each of the several diagrams are labeled with like numerals, and where:

Fig. 1 is a schematic side elevational view of a prior art cam reel of a harvesting header;

Fig. 2 is a side schematic side demonstrating the normal extension of the fingers when the reel is configured in an operating position;

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Fig. 3 is a side view of a reel with a complex bat path with adjustable cam mechanism that pennits the reel to be configured between an operating posi tion (A) and a transport position (B), and

Fig. 4 is a side view of a prior tut reel made to be configurable in an operating position (A) and a transport position (B) using an adjustable cam system of the present invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:

Tile following discussion provides many example embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the 15 disclosed elements

Harvesting headers, as outlined elsewhere herein and understood to those skilled in the art of crop harvesting technology are the cutting face attachment which is typically used cither with a swather or windi owing machine, or with a combine harvester or the like. The header 20 typically includes a reel rotatably mounted approximately perpendicular to the operating direction of travel of the implement which will when rotated feed crop material from the field into a cutter bar mounted along the front of the header, and once it passes over the

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Page 12 cutter bar and is cut, deposit that cut crop material into an auger or onto a draper conveyor which will feed it either to a discharge in the case of this water when growing machine, or into the throat of a combine harvester etc.

Different types of headers have been developed over the years that behave differently in different types of crop material as well as aie of varying construction and width. The width of die header is one of the primary determining factors of the speed of harvesting, since a wider header can cut a wider windrow or swath such that fewer passes will be required in order to process a a crop in a field. As outlined above and as is understood to those skilled in the ait of the manufacturing operation of harvesting equipment, over the last number of years reel assemblies that use a cam construction at the ends of the reel to rotatably orient the reel bats and the lingers thereon during rotation of the reel have become the norm.

Fig. 1 depicts a schematic side elevational view of a prior ait cam reel of a harvesting header. This Figure has been extracted from Canadian Patent No. 2,358,883. Many of the components of the typical harvesting header are demonstrated in this figure and it is shown for this purpose as well to inform the understanding of the reader in die general state of the art and the technology'.

The general configuration of the header includes a frame structure, shown at 1, which includes a main beam 2 extending across the width of tile frame 1 and two end frame 15

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Page 13 members 3, which extend forward from the rear of the header and away from the main beam 2.

The frame stricture 1 also includes a deck 4 onto which crop material after it is cut is placed. The deck 4 extends between the end frame members 3. There is a cutter bar 5 shown as well, along the front of the deck 4, which will cut the crop material as the reel feeds it therein. The harvesting header shown employs an auger 6 for the feeding of crop material to the discharge or throat across the deck 4. Other types of headers use a draper conveyor in place of or in addition to an auger 6 and both such approaches will be understood to be contemplated within the scope of the present invention in tenus of utility or applicability of tlie cam reel configuration of the present invention.

In addition to the transverse conveyor deck 4, which extends between the end frame members 3, there is also a reel 7 that extends across the width of the header above and reaching forward of the cutter bar 5. This conventional reel 7 includes a shaft 8 that is rotationally attached to the end frame members 3 so (liât the position of the shaft 8 is fixed relative to the cutter bar 5. The reel 7 also includes a plurality of reel bats 9 which are in equally spaced positions around the axis 10 of the shaft 8. The reel bats 9 are rotatably attached so that they can rotate within their mountings as the shaft 8 and the reel 7 are rotated during operation. In the embodiment shown, each of the bats 9 comprises a bat tube 11 with a plurality' of fingers 12 attached thereto which extend radially outward from the tube 11, and the shaft 8, at a predetermined angle. The plurality of fingers 12 aie spaced in positions along

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Page 14 tlic length of the bat 9, with all of the fingers being arranged at a similar angle in relation to the axis 13 of the bat 11.

The bat tubes 11 aie mounted to a plurality of radial support aims 14, extending outwardly from the shaft 8. In this particular case a support plate 15 is shown attaching these radial anus 14 to the shaft 8. The number of radial anus 14 spaced around tile shaft 8 will vary dependent upon the number of bats 9 which are used in the particular reel configuration. As well, the number of support plate and radial arm combinations spaced along the length of the shaft would be varied based upon the width of the header and the amount of support required by the reel bats 9.

The bat lubes 11 tire rotationally mounted to their radial aims 14, so that they can turn in relation to their axis 13 while remaining attached thereto.

Each of the bat tubes 11 is attached to or includes a crank arm 16, which is attached to the tube 11 in such a way that die inner end of the crank ami 16 will rotate with the tube 11 around die axis 13 of the tube. Each crank arm 16 includes a cam follow'er 17 and its outer end, which is capable of engaging a cam track 18 The cam follower 17 itself has a cam follower axis 19 about which it can rotate. The crank arm 16 is attached to provide the application of rotational force to the tube 11 during the operation of the reel 7.

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Many different types of cam followers and corresponding cam track configurations or pairings will be understood. The cam track 18 defines a path around the axis 8 of the reel but is offset from the axis 8 and in this case is non-circular, so that (lie crank arms 16 will move and they will rotate around their respective bat axis 13 and generate a particular pattern of movement of the fingers 12 attached to that bat 9 as the reel 7 rotates. By changing the shape of the cam track 18 the behavior of the fingers 12 during rotation of the reel 7 can be modified.

In operation when the shaft 8 is rotated the reel 7 will be actuated. As the shaft 8 is rotated, the radial arms 14 will rotate with the bat tubes 11 attached at their ends. Those reel bats 9 will turn in a circle of constant radius defined by the distance between the axis 10 of the shaft 8 and the axis 13 of the reel bats 9. This is the bat path BP. The bat path (BP) of this particular reel design is shown by dotted circle in this Figure. Overall it will be understood that the behavior of the bats 9 in rotation of the reel 7 in this embodiment and similar embodiments will be that (lie bats 9 themselves will travel around circular bat path BP and the only change in behavior of the fingers 12 would he generated by the rotation of the tubes 11 of the bats 9 within their rotational attachments on the radial amis 14.

Operating and Transport Configurations

There aie a number of prior rut reel and header combinations which include fingers mounted on rotatable bat tubes. For example, the example of a prior ait cam reel shown in

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Figure 1 pi ovides for a plurality' of lingers 12 mounted on bat tubes 11, which are mounted to be rotated in response to the operation of tlie cam as described above in reference to Figure 1. One limitation of these header designs is that by definition, those rows of fingers on bats positioned at the iront of the reel will extend past the reel. This can be easily seen in Fig. 2, where the fingers 34 are most extended radially from the reel axis at the front of the reel (the left side of the drawing). This positioning is desirable in tlie operating configuration as it sets the fingers at an angle to more efficiently engage and sweep the crop towards the header table as tlie reel rotates, as can be appreciated in the illustration. The illustration depicts the position of a finger at intervals of time during the course of a 1Ü rotation of the reel, the reel rotating in a counterclockwise direction in this particular depiction.

While tliis is a desired position during operation of the combine header as it properlv positions tile fingers to engage tlie crop being harvested, it is less desirable when the header 15 is being transported, as a result of tlie fingers extending outwards from the reel. The fingers being extended past the body of the reel results in an increased potential for catching the fingers on structures, vehicles as the header is being transported, as well as risking injury to persons operating around the header. There is further risk of deforming and/or breaking off of fingers during transport given that they are in an unprotected position.

In the present invention, tlie cam is further adjustable between a operating position and a transport position. As shown m Figs. 3 and 4, when the cam 30 is set in tlie operating

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Page 17 position (A) the positioning of the cam will be moved relatively forward with respect to die reel. In die operating position this positioning of the cam will cause die cam followers to be positioned such that the reel bats of die front most bats will be rotated in such a manner so as to cause the fingers mounted on the bat tube to extend generally radially outward from die reel shaft, as is also shown in Fig. 2. Thus, as shown in Figs. 3A and 4A. selecting die operating position for the cam result in orientation of the fingers 34 such that fingers on bats positioned at the front most portion of the reel (two bat finger rows indicated as X) will extend outwards in the optimal configuration for engaging and moving the crop material rearwards towards the header table.

In contrast, when preparing the header for transport, a user will be able to select a transport position for die cam. As shown in Figures 3B and 4B, when the cam is placed in die transport position, die positioning of the cam will move rearward with respect to die reel and the operating position. This in turn positions the cam follower and the bats such that die fingers on the front most bats that would be extended in the operation positions, are now rotated substantially inwards (indicated by Y).

Conveniently, the present cam design that is configurable between operating and transport positions can be applied as an after market improvement to prior art reel designs (as shown in Fig. 4), or included with a novel reel design having a cam and follower design that produces a complex bat padi when die reel is in operation (as shown in Fig. 3).

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In the present design, it is also possible to have one or more operating positions. For example, depending on how aggressively one wishes to engage the crop, die positionable nature of the cam mechanism would allow a user to select one or more operating positions. In each operating position the finger would be generally oriented to extend radially outward with respect to the reel shaft at the point where die lingers would be expected to engage the crop being harvested.

As is also shown in Fig. 2, die cam can include a number of predetermined operating positions dirough which the cam positioning may be adjusted. As shown, a series of positioning holes 49 provide detents, or stops, defining a number of dif ferent operating positions. The holes may be engaged and the cam locked into position dining operation by means of pins, bolls, or any other suitable engaging fastener to maintain the cam in the desired position. The various holes would pennit adjustment of the operating behaviour of die reel and fingers 34, depending on the setting chose. Changing the positioning of the cam relative to die positioning holes can also be used to modify the bat path.

The present design also provides for dicre to be a locking mechanism in order Co secure die cam position in any of the selectable positions, whether it be one or more possible operating positions, or in the transport position. In some cases, the locking mechanism can comprise a series of engagement holes in die cam disc as described above that can be put into alignment witii a corresponding locking hole in die frame

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In some embodiments, the cam can be configured to be movable through about 180° of rotation in moving from an operating position to a transport position. The precise arc through which the cam is rotated is not critical to the advantage provided by this feature. It will therefore be apparent to those of skill in the art how much rotation is required in order to substantially rotate the front most bat fingers inwards whereby they are less likely to contact structures or persons during transport.

In addition, in some embodiments it may be preferable to provide a locking mechanism to secure the reel in place during transport in order to prevent rotation of the reel and possible damage to its components, such as the fingers. Like the methods for securing the reel cam in an operating position, the transport lock can make use of pins, locks and other fasteners known in the art in order to secure the reel and to prevent its movement when the header is being transported.

It will be apparent to those of skill in the art that by modification the present invention can be optimized for use in a wide range of conditions and applications, and in particular for different types of crops and various models of combine. It will also be obvious to those of skill in the art that there are various ways and designs with which to produce the apparatus and methods of

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Page 20 the present invention. The illustrated embodiments are therefore not intended to limit the scope of the invention, but to provide examples of the apparatus and method to enable those of skill in the art to appreciate the inventive concept.