FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention pertains to an agricultural harvester, and, more specifically, to a crop divider of a header of the agricultural harvester.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] An agricultural harvester known as a “combine” is historically termed such because it combines multiple harvesting functions with a single harvesting unit, such as picking, threshing, separating, and cleaning. A combine includes a header which removes the crop from a field, and a feeder housing which transports the crop matter into a threshing rotor. The threshing rotor rotates within a perforated housing, which may be in the form of adjustable concaves, and performs a threshing operation on the crop to remove the grain. Once the grain is threshed it falls through perforations in the concaves onto a grain pan. From the grain pan the grain is cleaned using a cleaning system, and is then transported to a grain tank onboard the combine. A cleaning fan blows air through the sieves to discharge chaff and other debris toward the rear of the combine. Non-grain crop material such as straw from the threshing section proceeds through a residue handling system, which may utilize a straw chopper to process the non-grain material and direct it out the rear of the combine. When the grain tank becomes full, the combine is positioned adjacent a vehicle into which the grain is to be unloaded, such as a semi-trailer, gravity box, straight truck, or the like, and an unloading system on the combine is actuated to transfer the grain into the vehicle.

[0003] More particularly, a rotary threshing or separating system includes one or more rotors that can extend axially (front to rear) or transversely (side to side) within the body of the combine, and which are partially or fully surrounded by perforated concaves. The crop material is threshed and separated by the rotation of the rotor within the concaves. Coarser non-grain crop material such as stalks and leaves pass through a straw beater to remove any remaining grains, and then are transported to the rear of the combine and discharged back to the field. The separated grain, together with some finer non-grain crop material such as chaff, dust, straw, and other crop residue are discharged through the concaves and fall onto a grain pan where they are transported to a cleaning system. Alternatively, the grain and finer non-grain crop material may also fall directly onto the cleaning system itself.

[0004] A cleaning system further separates the grain from non-grain crop material, and typically includes a fan directing an airflow stream upwardly and rearwardly through vertically arranged sieves which oscillate in a fore and aft manner. The airflow stream lifts and carries the lighter non-grain crop material towards the rear end of the combine for discharge to the field. Clean grain, being heavier, and larger pieces of non-grain crop material, which are not carried away by the airflow stream, fall onto a surface of an upper sieve (also known as a chaffer sieve), where some or all of the clean grain passes through to a lower sieve (also known as a cleaning sieve). Grain and non-grain crop material remaining on the upper and lower sieves are physically separated by the reciprocating action of the sieves as the material moves rearwardly. Any grain and/or non-grain crop material which passes through the upper sieve, but does not pass through the lower sieve, is directed to a tailings pan. Grain falling through the lower sieve lands on a bottom pan of the cleaning system, where it is conveyed forwardly toward a clean grain auger. The clean grain auger conveys the grain to a grain elevator, which transports the grain upwards to a grain tank for temporary storage. The grain accumulates to the point where the grain tank is full and is discharged to an adjacent vehicle such as a semi trailer, gravity box, straight truck or the like by an unloading system on the combine that is actuated to transfer grain into the vehicle.

[0005] Headers can also include crop dividers positioned at each end lateral end of the header. Crop dividers serve to divide the crop material from the crop material that is to be harvested in the current pass from the crop material not to be harvested in the current pass. One such crop divider can include a leading tip, a lifting wing for trying to stand the crop material upright (or thereabouts), an inner wing for pushing the crop material to the inside of the header, and an outer wing for pushing the crop material away from a lateral side of the header, each of which is coupled to one another. The lifting wing can include a front section and a rear section coupled with the front section and more vertical relative to the front section. Depending upon the application, a larger version, or a smaller version, of such a crop divider can be used. Crop material in a field to be harvested may not be standing upright when the combine traverses the field to harvest the crop material. For instance, crop material may be lodged crop material (crop material that is leaning over across adjacent crop material) or down crop material (crop material that is lying flat or nearly flat on the ground). With respect to lodged crop material and down crop material, the crop divider tries to separate and lift the crop material. The crop material is then laying over a top portion of the divider as the crop material progresses rearwardly on the crop divider. If the crop material is badly entangled, the crop material may get cut off or pulled from the ground and remain on the crop divider rather than going to the uncut side of the header or into the header. Thus, a problem exists, for instance, with crop material laying from inside to the outside of the header across the lifting wing becoming lodged at the rear section of the lifting wing (that is, the most vertical portion of the lifting wing).

[0006] What is needed in the art is a crop divider with a way to move crop material rearward off the crop divider so that it does not become lodged on the most vertical portion of the crop divider.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention provides a crop divider of a header including a device for facilitating movement of crop material rearward.

[0008] The invention in one form is directed to an agricultural header of an agricultural harvester, the agricultural header coupled with a harvester frame of the agricultural harvester, the agricultural header including: a header frame; and a crop divider coupled with the header frame, the crop divider including a lifting wing configured for deflecting a crop material upwardly, the lifting wing including a front section and a rear section coupled with the front section, the rear section including a device configured for facilitating a movement of the crop material for harvesting.

[0009] The invention in another form is directed to an agricultural harvester, including: a harvester frame; an agricultural header coupled with the harvester frame, the agricultural header including: a header frame; and a crop divider coupled with the header frame, the crop divider including a lifting wing configured for deflecting a crop material upwardly, the lifting wing including a front section and a rear section coupled with the front section, the rear section including a device configured for facilitating a movement of the crop material for harvesting.

[0010] The invention in yet another form is directed to a method of using an agricultural harvester, the method including: providing an agricultural harvester including: a harvester frame; an agricultural header coupled with the harvester frame, the agricultural header including: a header frame; and a crop divider coupled with the header frame, the crop divider including a lifting wing configured for deflecting a crop material upwardly, the lifting wing including a front section and a rear section coupled with the front section, the rear section including a device; facilitating, by the device, a movement of the crop material for harvesting.

[0011] An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a way to actively move crop material off of the crop divider.

[0012] Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a way for the operator to adjust the device from the operator’s seat in the cab, such that the operator need not make a manual adjustment with tools outside the cab.

[0013] Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for automatically adjusting the device.

[0014] Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for less lost crop material and less downtime, as the operator will not have to stop operation as often to remove the crop material hanging on the crop divider.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] For the purpose of illustration, there are shown in the drawings certain embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements, dimensions, and instruments shown. Like numerals indicate like elements throughout the drawings. In the drawings:

[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an exemplary embodiment of embodiment of an agricultural harvester, the agricultural harvester including a control system and a header assembly with a crop divider, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of the control system of FIG. 1, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the crop divider of FIG. 1, including a paddle assembly, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [0019] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the paddle assembly of FIG 3, with portions broken away;

[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the crop divider of FIG. 1, including a pivot assembly, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram showing a method of using an agricultural harvester.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The terms "grain", "straw" and "tailings" are used principally throughout this specification for convenience but it is to be understood that these terms are not intended to be limiting. Thus "grain" refers to that part of the crop material which is threshed and separated from the discardable part of the crop material, which is referred to as non-grain crop material, MOG or straw. Incompletely threshed crop material is referred to as "tailings". Also, the terms "forward", "rearward", "left" and "right", when used in connection with the agricultural harvester and/or components thereof are usually determined with reference to the direction of forward operative travel of the harvester, but again, they should not be construed as limiting. The terms "longitudinal" and "transverse" are determined with reference to the fore-and-aft direction of the agricultural harvester and are equally not to be construed as limiting. The terms “downstream” and “upstream” are determined with reference to the intended direction of crop material flow during operation, with “downstream” being analogous to “rearward” and “upstream” being analogous to “forward.”

[0023] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown an embodiment of an agricultural harvester 100 (which can also be referred to as an agricultural vehiclelOO) in the form of a combine which generally includes a chassis 101 (which can also be referred to as a harvester frame 101), ground engaging wheels 102 and 103, header 110 coupled with harvester frame 101, feeder housing 120, operator cab 104, threshing and separating system 130, cleaning system 140, grain tank 150, and unloading conveyance 160. Front wheels 102 are larger flotation type wheels, and rear wheels 103 are smaller steerable wheels. Motive force is selectively applied to front wheels 102 through a power plant in the form of a diesel engine 105 and a transmission (not shown) Although combine 100 is shown as including wheels, is also to be understood that combine 100 may include tracks, such as full tracks or half-tracks.

[0024] Header 110 (which can be referred to as a header assembly) is mounted to the front of combine 100 and includes a cutter bar 111 for severing crops from a field during forward motion of combine 100. A rotatable reel 112 (shown schematically in FIG. 1 with portions broken away and which can be referred to as a reel assembly), coupled with a frame 114 of header 110, feeds the crop into header 110, and drapers 113 feeds the severed crop laterally inwardly from each side toward feeder housing 120. Reel 112, according to an embodiment of the present invention, includes a transversely extending rotatable shaft 115 (which is coupled with frame 1 14). Feeder housing 120 conveys the cut crop to threshing and separating system 130, and is selectively vertically movable using appropriate actuators, such as hydraulic cylinders (not shown). Further, though header 110 is shown with drapers 113, according to another embodiment of the present invention header 110 can include augers instead. Further, header 110 includes a crop divider 116 coupled with header frame 114, crop divider 116 including a device 117 configured for facilitating a movement of the crop material rearward for harvesting of the crop material (device 117 is general in FIG. 1 and is described more fully below). Crop divider 116 (and other embodiments of the crop divider (i.e., 316, 16)) is shown schematically herein. Header 110 includes two such crop dividers 116, a respective one being positioned at each lateral end of header 110, each crop divider 116 mirroring the other, such that the left end crop divider 116 (shown schematically in FIG. 1) is specifically configured for the left lateral end of header 110, and the right end crop divider 116 (not shown in FIG. 1) is specifically configured for the right lateral end of header 110. Crop divider 116 is deemed general in FIG. 1 and is described more fully below as specific embodiments, namely, crop divider 316 (FIG. 3) and crop divider 516 (FIG. 5). The header of the present invention can be flexible, rigid, and/or articulating. Further, combine 100 includes a control system 118, in whole or in part, operatively coupled with harvester frame 101 and header frame 114.

[0025] Threshing and separating system 130 is of the axial-flow type, and generally includes a threshing rotor 131 at least partially enclosed by a rotor cage and rotatable within a corresponding perforated concave 132. The cut crops are threshed and separated by the rotation of rotor 131 within concave 132, and larger elements, such as stalks, leaves and the like are discharged from the rear of combine 100. Smaller elements of crop material including grain and non-grain crop material, including particles lighter than grain, such as chaff, dust and straw, are discharged through perforations of concave 132. Threshing and separating system 130 can also be a different type of system, such as a system with a transverse rotor rather than an axial rotor, etc.

[0026] Grain which has been separated by the threshing and separating assembly 130 falls onto a grain pan 133 and is conveyed toward cleaning system 140. Cleaning system 140 may include an optional pre-cleaning sieve 141, an upper sieve 142 (also known as a chaffer sieve or sieve assembly), a lower sieve 143 (also known as a cleaning sieve), and a cleaning fan 144. Grain on sieves 141, 142 and 143 is subjected to a cleaning action by fan 144 which provides an air flow through the sieves to remove chaff and other impurities such as dust from the grain by making this material airborne for discharge from a straw hood 171 of a residue management system 170 of combine 100. Optionally, the chaff and/or straw can proceed through a chopper 180 to be further processed into even smaller particles before discharge out of the combine 100 by a spreader assembly 200. It should be appreciated that the “chopper” 180 referenced herein, which may include knives, may also be what is typically referred to as a “beater”, which may include flails, or other construction and that the term “chopper” as used herein refers to any construction which can reduce the particle size of entering crop material by various actions including chopping, flailing, etc. Grain pan 133 and pre-cleaning sieve 141 oscillate in a fore-to-aft manner to transport the grain and finer non-grain crop material to the upper surface of upper sieve 142. Upper sieve 142 and lower sieve 143 are vertically arranged relative to each other, and likewise oscillate in a fore-to-aft manner to spread the grain across sieves 142, 143, while permitting the passage of cleaned grain by gravity through the openings of sieves 142, 143.

[0027] Clean grain falls to a clean grain auger 145 positioned crosswise below and toward the front of lower sieve 143. Clean grain auger 145 receives clean grain from each sieve 142, 143 and from a bottom pan 146 of cleaning system 140. Clean grain auger 145 conveys the clean grain laterally to a generally vertically arranged grain elevator 151 for transport to grain tank 150. Tailings from cleaning system 140 fall to a tailings auger trough 147. The tailings are transported via tailings auger 147 and return auger 148 to the upstream end of cleaning system 140 for repeated cleaning action. A pair of grain tank augers 152 at the bottom of grain tank 150 convey the clean grain laterally within grain tank 150 to unloader 160 for discharge from combine 100.

[0028] It should be appreciated that the configuration of combine 100 described above and shown in FIG. 1 is provided only as one example. Thus, it should be appreciated that the present disclosure may be readily adaptable to any manner of work combine configuration.

[0029] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown schematically control system 118, which includes controller 219, input/output device 225, sensor 226, sensor 227, actuator 228, and actuator 229, each of which are operatively coupled with one another. Regarding controller 219, controller 219 is operatively coupled with harvester frame 101. In general, controller 219 may correspond to any suitable processor-based device(s), such as a computing device or any combination of computing devices. Controller 219 may generally include one or more processor(s) 221 and associated memory 222 configured to perform a variety of computer- implemented functions (e.g., performing the methods, steps, algorithms, calculations and the like disclosed herein). Thus, controller 219 may include a processor 221 therein, as well as associated memory 222, data 223, and instructions 224, each forming at least part of the controller 219. As used herein, the term “processor” refers not only to integrated circuits referred to in the art as being included in a computer, but also refers to a controller, a microcontroller, a microcomputer, a programmable logic controller (PLC), an application specific integrated circuit, and other programmable circuits. Additionally, the memory 222 may generally include memory element(s) including, but not limited to, computer readable medium (e.g., random access memory (RAM)), computer readable non-volatile medium (e.g., a flash memory), a floppy disk, a compact disc-read only memory (CD-ROM), a magneto-optical disk (MOD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), and/or other suitable memory elements. Such memory 222 may generally be configured to store information accessible to the processor(s) 221, including data 223 that can be retrieved, manipulated, created, and/or stored by the processor(s) 221 and the instructions 224 that can be executed by the processor(s) 221. In some embodiments, data 223 may be stored in one or more databases.

[0030] Further, while not shown, controller 219 can communicate with a remotely located data center (which can also be a part of control system 118), which controller 219 can communicate with by any suitable way, such as a wired connection or a wireless connection, such as radio signals (RF), light signals, cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth, Internet, via cloud-based devices such as servers, and/or the like. Such a data center can include its own controller (and thus processor(s), memory, data, and instructions, substantially similar to that described above with respect to controller 219) which can be configured to perform any of the functions associated with controller 219. Controller 219 and the data center can be a part of any network facilitating such communication therebetween, such as a local area network, a metropolitan area network, a wide area network, a neural network, whether wired or wireless.

[0031] Input/output device 225, sensor 226 (which is optional), sensor 227, actuator 228, and actuator 229 are each operably coupled with controller 219. Input/output device 225 can be mounted in cab 104 and can be formed as, for example, a laptop computer (with keyboard and display) or a touchpad (including keypad functionality and a display). Input/output device 225 is configured for a user, such as the operator of combine 100, to interface therewith. Sensor 226 and actuator 229 are parts of device 117 formed as a paddle assembly 317 (a first embodiment of the present invention). Sensor 227 and actuator are parts of device 117 formed as a pivot assembly 517 (a second embodiment of the present invention). Thus, FIG. 2 is a composite, showing both embodiments, but it is assumed herein (unless stated otherwise) that control system 118 would include either sensor 226 and actuator 228 of paddle assembly 317 (the first embodiment), or sensor 227 and actuator 229 of pivot assembly 517 (the second embodiment)(though it is possible that control system 118 can include all sensors 226, 227 and actuators 228, 229). Sensors 226, 227 and actuators 228, 229 are discussed further below.

[0032] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a left end crop divider 316, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. All prior reference numbers with respect to crop divider 116 are increased by a multiple of 100 and are substantially similar to the structures and function described and shown with respect to FIG. 1, unless otherwise shown and/or described differently. Thus, crop divider 116 is labeled as 316 in FIG. 3. Crop divider 316 includes a divider tip 334, an inner wing 335, an outer wing 336, and a lifting wing 337 each coupled with one another, such as by way of divider tip 334. Divider tip 334 is the leading portion of crop divider 316 in the direction of travel of combine 100 and is configured to separate and divide the crop material from the ground, the crop material flowing to a rear of crop divider 316. Inner wing 335 (which can be referred to as inner deflector 335 and can be shorter than outer wing 336) is configured to push (and thus deflect) the crop material to the inside of header 1 10, so that the crop material will proceed through header 1 10 and thus be harvested in the current pass of combine 100. Outer wing 336 (which can be referred to as outer deflector 336) is configured to push the crop material away from the side of header 110, such that such crop material is not harvested in the current pass of combine 100. Lifting wing 337 is configured to deflect the crop material and to stand the crop material upright. Thus, lifting wing 337 is configured for deflecting the crop material upwardly. Each wing 335, 336, 337 can have a generally C-shaped cross-section, a convex portion of this C configured for facing crop material so as to deflect the crop material in the desired direction. For instance, this convex portion of lifting wing 337 can face generally forward and upward (at least in portions of wing 337), as well as, optionally with some tilt inwardly, for example, right for left end crop divider 316. Further, each wing 335, 336, 337 can be made of any suitable material, such as a metal, such as steel, and can be made in any suitable manner.

[0033] Lifting wing 337 includes a front (leading) section 338 and a rear (trailing) section 339 coupled with front section 338, such as fixedly, for example, by welding, fasteners, brackets, and/or the like. Further, rear section 338 includes arm 349, which can include a cutout 353. Rear section 339 further includes device 317 (generically labeled 117 in FIG. 1), device 317 being paddle assembly 317, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Paddle assembly 317 is coupled with arm 349, at least a portion of paddle assembly 317 being exposed to the crop material by way of cutout 353 so as to be able to engage the crop material. Paddle assembly 317 is configured for moving crop material to the inside of header 110. Paddle assembly 317 includes a wheel 354 and flaps 355 (which can also be referred to as paddles 355) attached to and upraised from a circumferential surface of wheel 354. Wheel 354 can be shaped as a cylinder, for example, and can be made of any suitable material such as metal (such as steel), a polymer, and/or carbon fiber, and can be made in any suitable manner. Wheel 354 (and flaps 355 therewith) is configured for rotating about an axis of rotation 356 (in clockwise direction, viewing crop divider 316 from the top in FIG. 3, as indicated by a rotational arrow about axis 356) coaxial with a longitudinal axis of wheel 354. A shaft (unnumbered) can, for example, extend through wheel 354 coaxial with axis 356, and this shaft can extend from longitudinal ends of wheel 354 and can be configured for rotating so as to rotate wheel 354. This shaft can be coupled with arm 346 in any suitable manner, such as by way of fasteners, brackets, plates, and/or the like. Further, this shaft can be coupled with, so as to be rotated by, actuator 228, which can be formed in any suitable way, such as an electric motor. Actuator 228 can be coupled with arm 349 in any suitable way, such as by way of fasteners, brackets, plates, and/or the like. Actuator 228 is thus configured for rotating the shaft, which thereby rotates wheel 354 and thus also flaps 355. Flaps 355 can be formed integral with wheel 354, or formed separate from wheel 354 and attached thereto in any suitable way, such as by way of fasteners, brackets or the like. Flaps 355 can be made of any suitable material, such as metal (such as steel), a polymer, and/or carbon fiber. Flaps 355 are configured for rotating about axis of rotation 356 and thereby for engaging and thus moving the crop material.

[0034] Sensor 226 (which is optional) can be coupled with arm 349, or any other structure, in order to be able to detect a rotational speed (revolutions per minute), which can also be referred to as the rotational velocity, of the shaft attached to wheel 354, or of wheel 354 itself, or of an output shaft of actuator 228, which can be coupled with the shaft of wheel 354, if these shafts are not one and the same. Sensor 226 can output a rotational speed signal corresponding to the rotational speed, and this rotational speed signal can be received by controller 219, which can output a signal to input/output device 225, which can display to the operator the rotational speed of wheel 354.

[0035] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown paddle assembly 317, with portions broken away. Paddle assembly is shown to include wheel 354 and flaps 355 attached to an outer circumference of wheel 354. Two such flaps 355 are shown, but more such flaps 355 can be included, and evenly spaced apart about the outer circumference of wheel 354. Further, axis of rotation 356 is shown, with an arrow 457 showing the direction of rotation for a left end crop divider 316.

[0036] Optionally, in response to rotational speed from sensor 226, or at any time of operator’s choosing regardless of whether or not the rotational speed is displayed on device 225, operator can increase or decrease and thereby adjust the rotational speed of wheel 354 by way of controlling a rotational output of actuator 228. For example, operator may see that crop material is trapped or otherwise not moving off of arm 349, causing operator to increase the rotational speed of wheel 354. In this way, controller 219 is configured for controlling the rotational speed of wheel 354 and thus also of paddle assembly 317, for example, by way of an input by the operator. Alternatively or in addition thereto, the rotational speed of wheel 354 can be set to rotate relative to a ground speed of combine 100 and/or header 110. That is, as the ground speed is higher or lower, the rotational speed of wheel 354 can correspondingly be higher or lower. Corresponding this rotational speed of wheel 354 to ground speed would be akin to corresponding a reel speed of reel 112 to ground speed. Thus, a paddle assembly circuit can be used, similar to how a reel circuit has the reel speed tied into a control of the ground speed.

[0037] In use, operator may drive combine 100 through a field to harvest crop material. Optionally, before doing so, operator may set the rotational speed of paddle assembly 317, more specifically, wheel 354. As combine 100 traverses the field to harvest the crop material, crop divider 316 separates and lifts crop material. Some crop material may travel up lifting wing 337. In so doing, some such crop material may strike rear section 339 of lifting wing 337 In so doing, flaps 355 of wheel 354 of paddle assembly 317 will engage the crop material so that the crop material proceeds onward into a flow path of crop material in header 110, rather than becoming lodged and thus tuck about, for example, arm 349. Thus, as crop material contacts flaps 355, flaps 355 will move the crop material off of lifting arm 337.

[0038] Referring now to FIG 5, there is shown a left end crop divider 516, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. All prior reference numbers with respect to crop divider 116 are increased by a multiple of 100 and are substantially similar to the structures and function described and shown with respect to FIGS. 1-3, unless otherwise shown and/or described differently. Thus, crop divider 1 16 is labeled as 516 in FIG. 5. Crop divider 516 includes a divider tip 534, inner wing 535, outer wing 536, and lifting wing 537 each coupled with one another, such as by way of divider tip 534. Lifting wing 537 is configured to deflect the crop material upwardly and to stand the crop material in a generally vertical direction. Each wing 335, 336, 337 can have a generally C-shaped cross-section, a convex portion of this C configured for facing crop material so as to deflect the crop material in the desired direction. For instance, this convex portion of lifting wing 337 can face generally forward and upward (at least in portions of wing 337), as well as, optionally with some tilt inwardly, for example, right for left end crop divider 316. Further, each wing 335, 336, 337 can be made of any suitable material, such as a metal, such as steel, and can be made in any suitable manner. Lifting wing 537 includes a front (leading) section 538 and a rear (trailing) section 539 coupled with front section 538, such as pivotably. Further, rear section 538 includes arm 549 (which can be referred to as an adjustable leg 549), which is pivotably coupled with front section 538, for example, by way of fasteners, brackets, pivot pins/shafts (hereinafter, pivot shaft), and/or the like. Arm 549 thus pivos about pivot axis 562. Rear section 539 further includes device 517 (generically labeled 117 in FIG. 1), device 517 being pivot assembly 517, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Pivot assembly 517 is coupled with arm 549. Pivot assembly 517 includes a support plate 558 fixedly attached to front section 538, such as by way of fasteners, brackets, and/or the like. Support plate 558 can be made of any suitable material, such as metal (such as steel), a polymer, and/or carbon steel, and can be made in any suitable manner. Support plate 558 can extend in a plane parallel to front section 538 or can extend in a plane that is substantially horizontal, or at any suitable angle.

[0039] Pivot assembly 517 further includes an actuator 229 (which can be referred to as a mechanism 229) coupled with (that is, attached to and, optionally, carried by) support plate 558, in any suitable way, such as by way of fasteners, brackets, and/or the like. Actuator 229 can be any suitable actuator. By way of example and not limitation, actuator 229 can be a fluid actuator (such as a hydraulic actuator or a pneumatic actuator), an electric actuator (such as an electromechanical actuator or an electrohydraulic actuator), an electronic actuator, and/or a mechanical actuator. Herein, actuator 229 is discussed as being formed as a fluid actuator, more specifically, as a hydraulic actuator assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Such a hydraulic cylinder assembly 229 can include a cylinder 229A (which can also be referred to as a barrel), a piston (not shown but disposed inside cylinder 229A), and a rod 229B, can be single-acting or double-acting, can be in a hydraulic closed circuit or an open circuit, and can use hydraulic oil as its working fluid. Such hydraulic cylinder assemblies 229 are well-known in the art. As a hydraulic cylinder assembly, rod 229B moves between a retracted position 559 (first position 559) and an extended position 561 (second position 561). Optionally, rod 229B can halt at intermediate positions between retracted and extended positions 559, 561. Movement of rod 229B between positions 559, 561 causes arm 549 to also move up and down, pivoting about a pivot axis 562 where rear section 539 pivots relative to front section 538. When rod 229B is in retracted position 559, arm 549 is in a down position, such that arm 549 can lie in contact with support plate 558 and substantially in line with front section 538 or in a flattened (substantially horizontal) position (or at any suitable angular position). When arm 549 is in this down position, crop material can more easily flow past lifting wing 537 and thus not get stuck on arm 549, for example. Alternatively, if crop material does build up on lifting wing 537, or, more specifically on arm 549, lowering arm 549 to its down position (or, at least lower than what it was and thus to an intermediate position between a fully up position and a fully down position of arm 549) can enable the crop material to flow past arm 549. When rod 229 is in extended position 561, arm 549 is in an up down position (more vertical). When arm 549 is in the up position, crop material can be stood up more upright by lifting arm 537, than when arm 549 is in its down position. Further, any suitable design can be used to accommodate the movement of rod 229 relative to the movement of arm 549. For example and not by way of limitation, a distal end of rod 229B can be configured to slide along an underside of arm 549 as rod 229B extends and retracts. Alternatively, hydraulic cylinder assembly 229 can pivot to accommodate the pivot of arm 549.

[0040] Linking arm 537 further includes sensor 227, which can be attached to a front face of rear section 538, more specifically, to a front face of arm 549. According to one embodiment of the present invention, sensor 227 is a visual sensor 227A, such as a camera, or a lidar sensor. Visual sensor 227A senses images of the crop material building up on lifting arm 537, more specifically, arm 549. These images correspond to a volume of crop material (an operative parameter). Further, sensor 227A outputs an image signal corresponding to the sensed images and thus to the volume of crop material. Controller 219 is configured for receiving the image signal from sensor 229A and for determining an adjustment signal based at least in part on the image signal. Controller 219 is configured for outputting this adjustment signal to actuator 229 so as to adjust rod 229B relative to positions 559, 561 (or any intermediate positions therebetween), which thus adjusts arm 549 between down and up positions (or intermediate positions therebetween). That is, when controller 219 becomes aware of a predetermined volume of crop material about arm 549 for example (because of what sensor 227A detected), then controller 219 can cause rod 229B to move to retracted position 559, thereby lowering arm 549 so that built up crop material can flow passed arm 549. When the lodged crop material passes such that the volume detected is less than the predetermined threshold, then rod 229B can return to its extended position 561, resulting in arm 549 being in its up position. On the other hand, when crop material is flowing well past arm 549 without the volume of crop material reaching the predetermined threshold, then rod 229B can remain in its extended position 561 , with arm 549 remaining in its up position (the default or normal operating position of arm 549). In this way, arm 549 can automatically be adjusted. Alternatively or in addition thereto, the amount of volume of crop material can be sent from controller 219 to display device 225, and operator can adjust the position of arm 549 from cab 104 accordingly, by way of actuator 229.

[0041] According to another embodiment of the present invention, sensor 227 is a pressure sensor 227B. Pressure sensor 227B senses pressure (an operative parameter) of the crop material building up on lifting arm 537, more specifically, arm 549. Further, sensor 227B outputs a pressure signal corresponding to the sensed pressure and thus to the pressure caused by the crop material. Controller 219 is configured for receiving the pressure signal from sensor 227B and for determining an adjustment signal based at least in part on the pressure signal. Controller 219 is configured for outputting this adjustment signal to actuator 229 so as to adjust rod 229B relative to positions 559, 561 (or any intermediate positions therebetween), which thus adjusts arm 549 between down and up positions (or intermediate positions therebetween). That is, when controller 219 becomes aware of a predetermined pressure of crop material on arm 549 for example (because of what sensor 227B detected), then controller 219 can cause rod 229B to move to retracted position 559, thereby lowering arm 549 so that built up crop material can flow passed arm 549. When the lodged crop material passes such that the pressure detected is less than the predetermined threshold, then rod 229B can return to its extended position 561, resulting in arm 549 being in its up position. On the other hand, when crop material is flowing well past arm 549 without the pressure of crop material reaching the predetermined threshold, then rod 229B can remain in its extended position 561, with arm 549 remaining in its up position (the default or normal operating position of arm 549). In this way, arm 549 can automatically be adjusted. Alternatively or in addition thereto, the amount of pressure of crop material can be sent from controller 219 to display device 225, and operator can adjust the position of arm 549 from cab 104 accordingly, by way of actuator 229.

[0042] In use, prior to harvesting in the field, the operator can establish settings by way of device 225, these settings establishing what is and is not an acceptable amount of crop material (in terms of volume and/or pressure). For instance, if pivot assembly 517 employs visual sensor 229A, then the setting can correspond to a predetermined volume of crop material. If pivot assembly 517 employs pressure sensor 227B, then the setting can correspond to a predetermined pressure of crop material. Such settings can be dependent upon the current conditions and/or crop experience. As combine 100 harvests the crop material in the field, when the volume/pressure sensed by sensor 227 is below the predetermined threshold (per the settings), then arm 549 can remain in the up position (extended position 561 of rod 229B). This will help crop material assume a more upright position as it flows through header. When the volume/pressure sensed by sensor 227 is at or above the predetermined threshold (per the settings), then arm 549 can be lowered by controller 219 to the down position (retracted position 559 of rod 229B). This will allow crop material building up on arm 549 to flow past arm 549 and into the remainder of header 110. When then the volume/pressure goes below the threshold again, controller 219 can move arm 549 back to its up position by actuator 229.

[0043] Accordingly, devices 117, 317, 517 each provides a solution to the event of crop material moving up crop divider 116, 316, 317 to front and/or rear sections 338, 339, 538, 539 of lifting wing 337, 537 such as to a vertical or near vertical portion of crop divider 116, 316, 516

[0044] Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a flow diagram of a method 672 of using an agricultural harvester 100, the method 672 including: providing 673 an agricultural harvester 100 including: a harvester frame 101; an agricultural header 110 coupled with the harvester frame 101, the agricultural header 110 including: a header frame 114; and a crop divider 116, 316, 516 coupled with the header frame 114, the crop divider 116, 316, 516 including a lifting wing 337, 537 configured for deflecting a crop material upwardly, the lifting wing 337, 537 including a front section 338, 538 and a rear section 339, 539 coupled with the front section 338, 538, the rear section 339, 539 including a device 117, 317, 517; facilitating 674, by the device 1 17, 317, 517, a movement of the crop material for harvesting The crop divider 116, 316 can include a divider tip 334, an inner wing 335, and an outer wing 336 each coupled with the lifting wing 337, the rear section 338 including an arm 349, the device 317 being formed as a paddle assembly 317 coupled with the arm 349, the paddle assembly 317 including a plurality of flaps 355, the method 672 including rotating the plurality of flaps 355 and thereby engaging the crop material. The agricultural harvester 100 can further include a control system 118 operatively coupled with the harvester frame 101 and the header frame 114, wherein the control system 118 includes: a controller 219 operatively coupled with the harvester frame 101 and configured for controlling a rotational speed of the paddle assembly 317 by way of at least one of an input by an operator and relative to a ground speed. The crop divider 116, 516 can include a divider tip 534, an inner wing 535, and an outer wing 536 each coupled with the lifting wing 537, the rear section 539 including an arm 549 pivotably coupled with the front section 538, the device 517 being formed as a pivot assembly 517 coupled with the arm 549, the pivot assembly 517 including a support plate 558 and a mechanism 229 coupled with the support plate 558, the method 672 further including moving, by the pivot assembly 517, the arm 549 between a first position 559 and a second position 561. The agricultural harvester 100 can further include a control system 118 operatively coupled with the harvester frame 101 and the header frame 114, wherein the control system 118 includes: a sensor 227, coupled with the crop divider 516 and configured for detecting at least one operative parameter and for outputting an operative parameter signal corresponding to the operative parameter; a controller 219 operatively coupled with the harvester frame 101 and configured for: receiving the operative parameter signal; determining an adjustment signal based at least in part on the operative parameter signal.

[0045] It is to be understood that the steps of method 672 are performed by controller 219 upon loading and executing software code or instructions which are tangibly stored on a tangible computer readable medium, such as on a magnetic medium, e.g., a computer hard drive, an optical medium, e.g., an optical disc, solid-state memory, e.g., flash memory, or other storage media known in the art. Thus, any of the functionality performed by controller 219 described herein, such as the method 672, is implemented in software code or instructions which are tangibly stored on a tangible computer readable medium. The controller 219 loads the software code or instructions via a direct interface with the computer readable medium or via a wired and/or wireless network. Upon loading and executing such software code or instructions by controller 219, controller 219 may perform any of the functionality of controller 219 described herein, including any steps of the method 672.

[0046] The term "software code" or "code" used herein refers to any instructions or set of instructions that influence the operation of a computer or controller. They may exist in a computer-executable form, such as machine code, which is the set of instructions and data directly executed by a computer's central processing unit or by a controller, a human- understandable form, such as source code, which may be compiled in order to be executed by a computer's central processing unit or by a controller, or an intermediate form, such as object code, which is produced by a compiler. As used herein, the term "software code" or "code" also includes any human-understandable computer instructions or set of instructions, e.g., a script, that may be executed on the fly with the aid of an interpreter executed by a computer's central processing unit or by a controller. [0047] These and other advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing specification. Accordingly, it is to be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is intended to include all changes and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of the invention.