Draper transport lift assist system

A header for harvesting crop comprising:

• a cutter bar configured to cut crop for harvesting;
• a header frame supporting the cutter bar;
• and
• a transport assembly including a mounting frame operatively connected to the header frame, a support arm rotatably coupled to an axle of the transport assembly and pivotably coupled to the mounting frame, the support arm including a transport position and a harvest position, and a cam linkage disposed at the mounting frame and the support arm, the cam linkage including a roller connected to the mounting frame and a cam plate having an apex engaged by the roller, the cam plate connected to the support arm, wherein the roller contacts the cam plate in the transport position and the roller is separated from the cam plate in the harvest position and further wherein the cam linkage provides a mechanical advantage for an operator to move the transport assembly from the transport position to the harvest position.

A method of moving a transport assembly of a harvesting header from a transport position to a harvest position, the transport assembly having an axle supporting wheels and a support arm operatively connected between the axle and a frame of the harvesting header, the method comprising:

• enabling rotational movement of the axle about the support arm;
• assisting pivotal movement of the support arm with a lift assist device in response to an upward force applied to the axle;
• applying a force with a cam roller to engage a cam surface of the support arm in response to the assisted pivotal movement to move the transport assembly to the harvest position, wherein the cam surface includes an apex;
• disengaging the cam roller from the cam surface as the transport assembly moves to the harvest position;
• and
• engaging a latch mechanism fixedly connected to the axle of the transport assembly with a catch of a frame of the harvesting header in response to the applied cam roller to the cam surface and the upward force applied to the axle, wherein the latch mechanism is centrally located on the axle.