AU2015252087A1 - A skirt support for a cutting header of a harvester - Google Patents

Abstract

There is disclosed a skirt support for a cutting header of a harvester and a cutting header provided with such a skirt support. The cutting header has a cutter bar being arranged to cut crop by reciprocal movement substantially transverse to a direction of movement of 5 the harvester. An apron extends rearward from the cutter bar to receive the crop to that the crop can be conveyed by an auger transversely along the apron. A reciprocally movable skirt extends across the apron between the cutter bar and the conveyor whereby the skirt is carried by a skirt support to space the skirt away from the apron.

Description

1 2015252087 04 Nov 2015

A skirt support for a cutting header of a harvester FiELP

The present invention relates to a skirt support for a cutting header of a harvester.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a skirt support for a cutting header of a 5 harvester to assist crop flow across a skirt provided in the cutting header.

BACKGROUND

An agricultural harvesting machine, generally known as a combine harvester, has a header unit releasably attached to the front of a tractor unit. The header unit is interchangeable so that it can be substituted by other suitable header units directed to 10 harvesting particular crops. For the purposes of harvesting thin stemmed crops, such as soy bean or wheat, the header unit is often referred to as a cutting header. The cutting header comprises a frame supporting a cutter bar on which there is a row of reciprocating cutting blades that are disposed across a leading edge of the cutting header. The cutting blades are arranged to cut the crop stalks close to the ground so that the stalk and head 15 of the crop fall into the header unit. In many cases a revolving reel is provided operatively ahead of the cutter bar for moving the crop toward the cutter bar and to push the crop heads so that they fall into the header unit after being cut.

Modern combine harvesters have header units that are much wider than the tractor unit and thus it is necessary to convey the crop heads laterally along the header unit toward its 20 centre so that the crop heads can be fed into a threshing cylinder. There are two main types of conveyors used to convey the crop heads, being known as an auger conveyor or a draper conveyor. The auger conveyor includes a floor or apron on which the crop heads lie, with a pair of rotatable augers that extend laterally across the width of the header unit on either side of the tractor unit. The augers rotate in opposed directions to push the crop 25 heads across the apron towards an inlet to the threshing cylinder. The draper conveyor comprises a generally flat endless loop conveyor belt that is located directly behind the cutter bar. Unfortunately, the cylindrical design of the auger conveyor does not allow the augers to be located directly behind the cutter bar and therefore the apron extends forward of the auger. 2015252087 04 Nov 2015 2

The cutting header generally relies on the forward motion of the harvester through the crop being harvested to cause the crop heads to the fall onto the conveyor. The movement of the crop heads may be assisted by the reel on the front of the machine which sweeps the crop into the cutting blades. On some machines, air jets are directed 5 rearwardly over the cutter bar to further assist the rearward movement of crop heads to the conveyor. While the use of air jets is relatively successful, the cost of the equipment to provide the necessary air is relatively expensive.

In light to medium density and/or short crops, it has been found that the reel is less effective and that crop heads build up on the cutter bar and can drop or be thrown 10 forwardly of the cutting header onto the ground in front of the harvester. The build-up can thus substantially reduce the efficiency and operational effectiveness of the harvester/header. Furthermore, in auger conveyors, the area of the apron extending between the cutting bar and the auger also forms a “dead zone” where build-up of crop heads can occur. 15 One method of alleviating the build-up of the crop heads is to attach a skirt to the cutter bar so that the skirt extends operatively rearwardly across the apron. Such a skirt is described in US4722172. The skirt largely covers the apron and reciprocates together with the cutter bar. Thus crop heads that fall onto the skirt are shaken or vibrated and move across the skirt towards the auger. 20 Due to the increasing width of modern header units, many auger platforms are provided with additional strengthening formations to prevent unwanted buckling of or flexibility in the apron and cutter bar. One such strengthening formation is provided in the form of a raised platform that extends transversely along the apron in the “dead zone” between the cutter bar and the auger. Unfortunately the platform tends to be an obstruction to the 25 falling crop heads and thus prevents them from reaching the auger. The platform also reduces the functioning of the skirt due to the skirt being angled upwards too steeply and thus not allowing the crop heads to traverse the skirt.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general 30 knowledge in the art in any country. 3 2015252087 04 Nov 2015

SUMMARY

According to one aspect, there is provided a skirt structure for a cutting header of a harvester, wherein the cutting header has a cutter bar adjacent to an apron leading to a conveyor, the skirt structure being arranged to extend across the apron from the cutter bar 5 towards the conveyor and to be spaced away from the apron.

The skirt structure may be a rigid sheet. The skirt structure may be arranged to be attached to the cutter bar. The skirt structure may be arranged to be attached to the apron. The skirt structure may be arranged to form a ramp extending over a platform provided on the apron. The skirt structure may be suitable for supporting a flexible skirt. 10 According to another aspect, there is provided a skirt support for a cutting header of a harvester, wherein the cutting header has a cutter bar being arranged to cut crop by reciprocal movement substantially transverse to a direction of movement of the harvester to cause crop heads to drop onto a reciprocally movable skirt extending across an apron and leading to a conveyor, the skirt support being arranged to carry the skirt spaced away 15 from the apron.

The skirt support may be a rigid sheet. The skirt support may be reciprocally movable together with the skirt. The skirt support may be attachable to the cutter bar.

The skirt support may be attachable to the apron and arranged to carry the skirt in a reciprocally movable manner. The skirt support may have a leading edge arranged to be 20 co-planar and conterminous with the cutter bar.

The skirt support may be in the form of a ramp arranged to carry the skirt onto or over a platform provided on the apron. The skirt support may be curved into an S-formation when seen in side view.

According to another aspect, there is provided a cutting header for a harvester, the cutting 25 header comprising: a cutter bar being arranged to cut crop by reciprocal movement substantially transverse to a direction of movement of the harvester; an apron extending rearward from the cutter bar arranged to receive the crop; a conveyor arranged to convey the crop along the apron; 4 2015252087 04 Nov 2015 a reciprocally movable skirt extending across the apron between the cutter bar and the conveyor; and a skirt support carrying the skirt spaced away from the apron.

The skirt support may comprise a rigid sheet. The skirt support may be movable with the 5 skirt. The skirt support and the skirt may be mounted directly or indirectly to the cutter bar. The skirt support may be located intermediate the cutter bar and the skirt, with the skirt support being joined to the cutter bar and with the skirt being joined to the skirt support.

An elongated platform may be provided in the apron, which platform extends substantially 10 parallel to the cutter bar. The skirt support may form a ramp to carry the skirt onto or over the platform.

The skirt support may have a trailing edge terminating above the platform. The skirt support may have a trailing edge that terminates co-planar and conterminous with a top of the platform. 15 The skirt support may be mounted to the apron and arranged to carry the skirt in a reciprocally movable manner. The skirt support may have a leading edge that is co-planar and conterminous with the cutter bar.

An elongated platform may be provided in the apron and extends substantially parallel to the cutter bar. The skirt support may form a bridge extending over the platform. 20 The skirt support may be curved into an S-formation when seen in side view. The skirt support may be made of metal or plastics material. The skirt support may be malleable to permit bending thereof into a desired cross-sectional profile.

According to another aspect, there is provided a cutting header for a harvester, the cutting header comprising: 25 a cutter bar being arranged to cut crop by reciprocal movement substantially transverse to a direction of movement of the harvester; an apron extending rearward from the cutter bar arranged to receive the crop; a conveyor arranged to convey the crop along the apron; 5 2015252087 04 Nov 2015 a reciprocally movable skirt structure extending across the apron between the cutter bar and the conveyor, wherein the skirt structure is skirt spaced away from the apron.

The skirt structure may comprise a rigid sheet. The skirt structure may be mounted to the cutter bar. 5 An elongated platform may be provided in the apron, which platform extends substantially parallel to the cutter bar. The skirt structure may extend over the platform.

The skirt structure may be curved into an S-formation when seen in side view. The skirt structure may be made of metal or plastics material. The skirt structure may be malleable to permit bending thereof into a desired cross-sectional profile. 10 According to another aspect, there is provided a method of moving crop heads through a cutting header of a harvester, wherein the crop heads are moved across an apron extending between a cutter bar and a conveyor, the method comprising the steps of: providing a reciprocally movable skirt structure extending across the apron, wherein the skirt structure is spaced away from the apron; and 15 reciprocally moving the skirt structure to cause the crop heads to move across the skirt to the conveyor.

The method may include the step of inclining the skirt structure relative to the apron thereby enabling the skirt structure to traverse a platform provided in the apron.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 20 An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a harvester showing a cutting header attached to a tractor unit;

Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the cutting header of Figure 1 25 showing a first embodiment of a skirt support;

Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the cutting header of Figure 1 showing a second embodiment of a skirt support; and

Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the cutting header of Figure 1 showing a third embodiment comprising a skirt structure. 6 2015252087 04 Nov 2015

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a harvester 10 having a cutting header 12 attached to a tractor unit 14. The cutting header 12 comprises a frame 16 supporting a cutter bar assembly 18, with a reel 20 mounted operatively forward of the cutter bar assembly 18 5 and with an auger conveyor 22 being mounted operatively rearward of the cutter bar assembly 18. The auger conveyor 22 comprises an auger 24 arranged operatively above an apron 26 that extends towards the cutter bar assembly 18. The apron 26 is provided with an elongated raised platform 28 that extends transversely along the apron 26 between the cutter bar assembly 18 and the auger 24. The platform 28 as a front wall 30, 10 a rear wall 32 and a flat table top 34 extending between the front and rear walls 30, 32.

Figure 2 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the region extending from the cutter bar assembly 18 to the auger 24. The cutter bar assembly 18 comprises a cutter bar 36 that carries a number of knives or cutting blades 38. The cutting blades 38 are generally triangular in shape and are fixed in a near abutting configuration so that the cutting 15 blades 38 have a serrated or sawtooth appearance when seen from above. The cutter bar 36 is arranged to move reciprocally transversally across the cutter bar assembly 18, i.e. in Figure 2 the cutter bar 36 will move into and out from the paper sheet.

The cutter bar assembly 18 further comprises a number of knife guards 40 that are arranged forwardly of the cutting blades 38. The knife guards 40 are mounted stationary 20 to the cutter bar assembly 18 so that the cutting blades 38 move relative to the knife guards 40. The knife guards 40 have forwardly projecting fingers 42. In use the fingers 42 direct stalks of a crop to the cutting blades 38 so that the transverse movement of the cutting blades 38 can cut the stalks so that their crop heads fall onto the apron 26. The knife guards 40 act in opposition to the cutting blades 38 so that the reciprocating 25 movement of the cutting blades 38 presses the stalks against the knife guards 40 to shear through the stalks.

Once the stalks are cut, the crop heads drop onto the apron 26 for further rearward movement across the apron 26 to the auger 24 so that the crop heads can be conveyed transversally along the cutting header 12. 30 In the known machines, the area of the apron 26 between the cutter bar 36 and the auger 24 forms a “dead spot” in which the crop heads tend to pile up, particularly when 7 2015252087 04 Nov 2015 harvesting light to medium density crops. This is due to friction contact between the crop heads and the apron 26. Further, the platform 28 also acts as an obstruction to the movement of the crop heads across the apron 26. Thus if the crop heads fall beyond the platform 28 they may bounce or move further rearwards to reach the auger 24. However, 5 any crop heads that fall onto the apron 26 forward of the platform 28 will not be able to move past the platform 28 and will pile up against its front wall 30. Furthermore, when the crop heads fall on top of the table top 34 of the platform 28, although most will move rearwards to the auger 24, a fair number of the crop heads will tend to pile up on the table top 34 and thereby increase the obstruction formed by the platform 28. 10 The present disclosure provides a flexible skirt 44 that has a width sufficient to cover the dead zone of the apron 26 between the cutter bar 36 and the auger 24. Accordingly the skirt extends rearward over the platform 28. The skirt 44 also extends transversely along the length of the cutter bar 36. The skirt 44 has a forward edge 46 being mounted to the cutter bar 36 and a free rear edge 48. Optionally the forward edge 46 can be provided 15 with a relatively rigid elongated support member (not shown) to assist in mounting the skirt 44 to the cutter bar 36. As the skirt 44 is mounted to the cutter bar 36, the skirt 44 reciprocates with the cutter bar 36, i.e. together with the cutting blades 38. This reciprocating movement of the skirt 44, together with the forward motion of the harvester 10, results in any crop heads that fall onto the skirt 44 to be shaken and vibrated 20 so that they move rearward across the skirt 44 to the auger 24.

As the skirt 44 is flexible, in order to prevent it from conforming to the shape of the platform 28, a skirt support 50 is provided beneath the skirt 44 to act as a carrier so that the skirt 44 can lie on the skirt support 50. Thus the skirt support 50 is located between the skirt 44 and the apron 26. Selectively the skirt support 50 can be arranged to 25 reciprocate together with the skirt 44 or to be stationary. The skirt support 50 forms a ramp leading up from the cutter bar 36 to the table top 34. In some embodiments the skirt support 50 forms a bridge extending over the platform 28.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the skirt support 50 forms a ramp that is arranged to reciprocate together with the skirt 44. The skirt support 50 comprises an elongated 30 rigid sheet being curved in a relatively shallow S-formation when seen in side view and having its leading edge 52 mounted to the cutter bar 36. A trailing edge 54 of the skirt support 50 extends upward and beyond the front wall 30 so that the skirt support 50 terminates above the table top 34. Although the trailing edge 54 can abut and lie on the 8 2015252087 04 Nov 2015 table top 34, doing so may result in excessive wear to either or both the skirt support 50 and the platform 28 during the reciprocal movement of the skirt support 50. Thus the exemplary embodiment of the skirt support 50 is spaced apart from the platform 28 by a small gap. It should be appreciated that in another embodiment the skirt support 50 can 5 be widened so that it fully traverses the platform 28. Alternatively, the skirt support can be narrowed so that the trailing edge 54 is conterminous with the table top 34.

In one embodiment the skirt 44 and skirt support 50 are mounted and secured together on the cutter bar 36. This is achieved using any conventional known attachment, e.g. by bolts 56 or rivets. In an alternative embodiment the skirt 44 is not mounted to the cutter 10 bar 36, but instead is attached to the skirt support 50 with only the latter being mounted to the cutter bar 36. In this alternative embodiment the forward edge 46 is stapled, sewn or riveted to the skirt support 50.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, there is shown a skirt support 50’ that forms a bridge across the platform 28 and that remains stationary, i.e. the skirt 44 will reciprocate 15 relative to the skirt support 50’. The skirt support 50’ comprises an elongated rigid sheet being curved into an S-formation when seen in side view and being fixedly attached with respect to the platform 28. The exemplary embodiment of the skirt support 50’ is shown being attached (e.g. by bolts 58, rivets or welding) to the front wall 30 of the platform 28. However, it will be appreciated that the skirt support 50’ can concurrently or alternatively 20 be attached to the rear wall 32. Similarly, the skirt support 50’ can be attached to the apron 26 on opposite sides of the platform 28. In the exemplary embodiment the skirt’s leading edge 52’ lies adjacent the apron 26 and curves smoothly away from therefrom so that the skirt support 50’ forms a curved bridge over the platform 28 with its trailing edge 54’ terminating adjacent to the rear wall 32. In other embodiments the leading 25 edge 52’ can be spaced from the apron 26 so that it is conterminous with the cutter bar 36 or with the cutting blade 38.

In both the embodiments shown in Figures 2 and 3 the skirt 44 is sufficiently wide that it extends from the cutter bar 36 to fully traverse “dead zone” formed on either the apron 26 or the platform 28. 30 In yet other alternative arrangements the skirt 44 may be mounted for reciprocal or orbital movement together with the skirt support 50 and independently of the reciprocal movement of the cutter bar 36. In yet another alternative arrangement the skirt 44 may be 2015252087 04 Nov 2015 9 mounted for reciprocal or orbital movement relative to the skirt support 50’ and independently of the reciprocal movement of the cutter bar 36.

Hereinafter any reference to the skirt support 50 also includes the skirt support 50’. It will be appreciated that the cross-sectional shape of the skirt support 50 can be varied and 5 need not be S-shaped. Thus the skirt support 50 can be wedge-shaped or simple an inclined flat sheet. The skirt support 50 must merely provide a ramp allowing the skirt 44 to have a shallow inclination from the cutter bar 36 to the table top 34. The inclination should be sufficiently shallow so that crop heads that fall onto the skirt 44 can move towards the auger 24 due to the combined reciprocal movement of the skirt 44 that 10 shakes or vibrates the crop heads and the forward movement of the harvester 10.

As described above the skirt support 50 is rigid. In one embodiment the skirt support 50 is made from malleable metal, such as by casting or pressing a metal sheet. The metal sheet may selectively be steel, stainless steel, aluminium, or brass. The malleability of the metal sheet permits a user to bend the skirt support 50 so that its cross-sectional 15 profile can be changed as needed to suit differently shaped platforms 28. In another embodiment the skirt support 50 is formed from a plastics material, such as by moulding or extrusion.

It is also envisioned that the skirt support can be a mesh structure.

In one embodiment the skirt 44 is made of plastics material, such as polyvinyl chloride 20 sheet. In another embodiment the skirt 44 is made of canvas or similar fabric material.

The material of the skirt 44 should be relatively hard wearing to ensure a relatively long life.

It will be understood that the skirt support 50 can be used with any header unit, having long or short tooth combs and having either a fixed or adjustable reel 20. The apparatus 25 can also be used in conjunction with an air blower to provide further assistance in movement of the crop heads towards the auger 24.

Further, cutting headers 12 may be constructed incorporating the skirt support 50 being integrally formed with either the cutter bar 36 or with the platform 28. 2015252087 04 Nov 2015 10

Referring now to Figure 4, there is shown a further embodiment whereby the cutting header 12 is provided with a rigid skirt structure 60. The skirt structure 60 is a rigid sheet that is mounted to the cutter bar 36. The skirt structure 60 is a single sheet forming a bridge that extends over the platform 28. As such the skirt structure 60 functions as both 5 the skirt 44 and the skirt support 50, i.e. the skirt structure 60 is sufficiently rigid to remain spaced away from the apron 26 so that it traverses the platform 28 while simultaneously being arranged to be reciprocally moved so that crop heads falling onto the skirt structure 60 are moved from the cutter bar 36 towards the auger 24.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or 10 modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where 15 the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims (40)

1. A skirt structure for a cutting header of a harvester, wherein the cutting header has a cutter bar adjacent to an apron leading to a conveyor, the skirt structure being arranged to extend across the apron from the cutter bar towards the conveyor and to be spaced away from the apron.

2. A skirt structure as claimed in claim 1, which is a rigid sheet.

3. A skirt structure as claimed in claim 1 or 2, which is arranged to be attached to the cutter bar.

4. A skirt structure as claimed in claim 1 or 2, which is arranged to be attached to the apron.

5. A skirt structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is arranged to form a ramp extending over a platform provided on the apron.

6. A skirt structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is suitable for supporting a flexible skirt.

7. A skirt support for a cutting header of a harvester, wherein the cutting header has a cutter bar being arranged to cut crop by reciprocal movement substantially transverse to a direction of movement of the harvester to cause crop heads to drop onto a reciprocally movable skirt extending across an apron and leading to a conveyor, the skirt support being arranged to carry the skirt spaced away from the apron.

8. A skirt support as claimed in claim 7, which is a rigid sheet.

9. A skirt support as claimed in claim 7 or 8, which is reciprocally movable together with the skirt.

10. A skirt support as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9, which is attachable to the cutter bar.

11. A skirt support as claimed in claim 7 or 8, which is attachable to the apron and arranged to carry the skirt in a reciprocally movable manner.

12. A skirt support as claimed in claim 11, which has a leading edge arranged to be co-planar and conterminous with the cutter bar.

13. A skirt support as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 12, which is in the form of a ramp arranged to carry the skirt onto or over a platform provided on the apron.

14. A skirt support as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 13, which is curved into an S-formation when seen in side view.

15. A cutting header for a harvester, the cutting header comprising: a cutter bar being arranged to cut crop by reciprocal movement substantially transverse to a direction of movement of the harvester; an apron extending rearward from the cutter bar arranged to receive the crop; a conveyor arranged to convey the crop along the apron; a reciprocally movable skirt extending across the apron between the cutter bar and the conveyor; and a skirt support carrying the skirt spaced away from the apron.

16. A cutting header as claimed in claim 15, wherein the skirt support comprises a rigid sheet.

17. A cutting header as claimed in claim 15 or 16, wherein the skirt support is movable with the skirt.

18. A cutting header as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the skirt support and the skirt are mounted directly or indirectly to the cutter bar.

19. A cutting header as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the skirt support is located intermediate the cutter bar and the skirt, with the skirt support being joined to the cutter bar and with the skirt being joined to the skirt support.

20. A cutting header as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 19, in which an elongated platform is provided in the apron and the platform extends substantially parallel to the cutter bar.

21. A cutting header as claimed in claim 20, wherein the skirt support forms a ramp to carry the skirt onto or over the platform.

22. A cutting header as claimed in claim 20 or 21, wherein the skirt support has a trailing edge terminating above the platform.

23. A cutting header as claimed in claim 20 or 21, wherein the skirt support has a trailing edge that terminates co-planar and conterminous with a top of the platform.

24. A cutting header as claimed in claim 15 or 16, wherein the skirt support is mounted to the apron and arranged to carry the skirt in a reciprocally movable manner.

25. A cutting header as claimed in claim 24, wherein the skirt support has a leading edge that is co-planar and conterminous with the cutter bar.

26. A cutting header as claimed in claim 24 or 25, in which an elongated platform is provided in the apron and extends substantially parallel to the cutter bar.

27. A cutting header as claimed in claim 26, wherein the skirt support forms a bridge extending over the platform.

28. A cutting header as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 27, wherein the skirt support is curved into an S-formation when seen in side view.

29. A cutting header as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 28, wherein the skirt support is made of metal or plastics material.

30. A cutting header as claimed in claim 29, wherein the skirt support is malleable to permit bending thereof into a desired cross-sectional profile.

31. A cutting header for a harvester, the cutting header comprising: a cutter bar being arranged to cut crop by reciprocal movement substantially transverse to a direction of movement of the harvester; an apron extending rearward from the cutter bar arranged to receive the crop; a conveyor arranged to convey the crop along the apron; a reciprocally movable skirt structure extending across the apron between the cutter bar and the conveyor, wherein the skirt structure is a skirt spaced away from the apron.

32. A cutting header as claimed in claim 31, wherein the skirt structure comprises a rigid sheet.

33. A cutting header as claimed in claims 31 or 32, wherein the skirt structure is mounted to the cutter bar.

34. A cutting header as claimed in any one of claims 31 to 33, in which an elongated platform is provided in the apron and the platform extends substantially parallel to the cutter bar.

35. A cutting header as claimed in claim 34, wherein the skirt structure extends over the platform.

36. A cutting header as claimed in any one of claims 31 to 35, wherein the skirt structure is curved into an S-formation when seen in side view.

37. A cutting header as claimed in any one of claims 31 to 36, wherein the skirt structure is made of metal or plastics material.

38. A cutting header as claimed in claim 37, wherein the skirt structure is malleable to permit bending thereof into a desired cross-sectional profile.

39. A method of moving crop heads through a cutting header of a harvester, wherein the crop heads are moved across an apron extending between a cutter bar and a conveyor, the method comprising the steps of: providing a reciprocally movable skirt structure extending across the apron, wherein the skirt structure is spaced away from the apron; and reciprocally moving the skirt structure to cause the crop heads to move across the skirt to the conveyor.

40. A method as claimed in claim 39, which includes the step of inclining the skirt structure relative to the apron thereby enabling the skirt structure to traverse a platform provided in the apron.