VORRICHTUNG UND VERFAHREN ZUR AUTOMATISCHEN KOPPLUNG ELEKTRISCHER UND HYDRAULISCHER SYSTEME EINES SCHNEIDWERKS EINER ERNTEMASCHINE

Apparatus and method for automatically coupling fluid systems and electrical systems, respectively, of a header (22) and a feeder (50) of an agricultural combine as the header (22) is lifted by the feeder (50). The feeder (50) and header (22) include lifting elements (68, 72) pivotably engageable with lower portions (74, 76) of the feeder (50) and header (22) spaced apart, such that when the feeder (50) is raised, the header (22) will be lifted by the feeder (50) and pivoted so as to bring the lower portions (74, 76) together. A first coupler block (82) is supported on the feeder (50) and includes at least one fluid coupler (84) and at least one electrical contact (66), and a second coupler block (86) is supported on the header (22) and also includes at least one fluid coupler (84) and at least one electrical contact (66). The fluid couplers (84) and the electrical contacts (66) are configured and positioned so as to couple and be brought into contact, respectively, as the lower portions (74, 76) of the feeder (50) and the header (22) are brought together. They can also automatically uncouple when the header (22) is removed from the feeder (50).