Powered Cutting Head Propulsion System and Method

An agricultural machine for harvesting crop, comprising:

• a cutting head configured to harvest crop and conduct harvested crop to a work machine configured to process harvested crop, the cutting head including one or more ground engaging mechanisms configured to rotate to propel the cutting head along a ground surface;
• a propulsion system configured to provide power to the one or more ground engaging mechanisms to drive rotation thereof;
• and
• a controller configured to send at least one signal to the propulsion system that causes or enables a change in propulsion of the cutting head along the ground surface.

A method of propelling a cutting head for harvesting crop, comprising:

• providing power, via a propulsion system, to one or more ground engaging mechanisms of the cutting head to drive rotation of the one or more ground engaging mechanisms and propel the cutting head along a ground surface;
• receiving one or more first signals via a controller;
• and
• sending at least one additional signal, via the controller, to the propulsion system based on receipt of the one or more first signals, wherein the at least one additional signal causes a change in propulsion of the cutting head along the ground surface.