Overload Detection System for a Harvesting Head

An agricultural combine comprising:

• a chassis, and
• a header assembly attached to the chassis, the header assembly comprising:
• a base structure;
• a header wing section;
• an articulated joint connecting the header wing section to the mount;
• an actuator operatively connected between the header wing section and the base structure, the actuator being operative to move the header wing section relative to the base structure between a wing lowered position and a wing raised position;
• a load sensor operatively connected to the header wing section;
• and
• a controller operatively connected to the load sensor and the actuator, the controller being configured to acquire load sensor data from the load sensor to evaluate a magnitude of a gravitational load on the header wing section, and prevent the actuator from moving the header wing section towards the wing raised position if the magnitude of the gravitational load exceeds a predetermined threshold load value.

A method for controlling a header assembly for an agricultural vehicle having a base structure and a header wing section attached to the base structure by an articulated joint, the method comprising:

• determining a magnitude of a gravitational load on the header wing section;
• comparing the magnitude of the gravitational load to a predetermined load value;
• and
• sending a control signal to prevent the header wing section from being moved towards a raised position upon determining that the magnitude of the gravitational load is greater than the predetermined load value.