Automated header retaining system for lateral transport center-pivot mower

An agricultural mower comprising:

• a chassis;
• at least one wheel coupled to the chassis;
• a header unit coupled to the chassis;
• a first actuator that moves the header unit relative to the chassis between a field position, in which the at least one wheel contacts a ground surface to support the header unit, and an elevated position in which the header unit is positioned further from the ground surface as compared with the field position;
• a first retaining element mounted to one of the chassis and the header unit;
• a second retaining element mounted to the other of the chassis and the header unit, the second retaining element being releasably engaged to the first retaining element;
• a second actuator that moves the first retaining element from a first position in which the first retaining element is remote and disengaged from the second retaining element to a second position in which the first retaining element is engaged with the second retaining element such that the chassis supports at least a portion of a weight of the header unit via the engaged first and second retaining elements;
• and
• a computer controller that actuates the second actuator to move the first retaining element from the first position to the second position only after the first actuator has raised the header unit to the elevated position.