The Combine Harvester Header Body Assembly is a large metal frame assembly at the very front of the harvester. It consists of the header main frame, side panels, header floor plate, cutter mounting structure, reel support structure, and feed inlet connection structure. Located at the rear of the header, it connects and supports all working components directly involved in cutting and feeding, such as the cutter bar, reel, feed auger, and dividers.
What Does the Header Body Assembly Do?
| Function | Description |
| Supports the cutter bar | The front crossbeam of the header body secures the cutter bar beam, keeping it straight across the full width |
| Carries the reel | The upper crossbeam and side panels of the header body provide mounting positions for the reel shaft and reel arms |
| Mounts the feed auger | The middle section of the header body supports the transverse feed auger, moving cut crop toward the feeder house |
| Mounts the dividers | Dividers are mounted at the left and right ends of the header body to separate standing crop from uncut crop |
| Connects to the feeder house | The rear of the header body is connected to the feeder house by hinges or bolts, allowing the entire header to be raised and lowered |
| Withstands field loads | During operation, it bears vibration, crop impact, and ground contact forces. Once the frame deforms or cracks, cutting and feeding performance are directly affected |
Main Components of the Header Body Assembly
Using a tracked harvester as an example, a harvester header includes the header gearbox, drive sprocket, auger, eccentric shaft, swing arm, cutter bar, and other components.
Header Body Weldment
| Component | Description |
| Left and right side panels | Vertical plates forming the outer walls on both sides of the header |
| Front crossbeam | Main mounting base for the cutter bar beam |
| Upper crossbeam | Supports the reel and drive components |
| Rear mounting bracket | Mounting point for connection to the feeder house |
| Floor plate / bottom trough | Guides the cut crop flow toward the auger |
Hold-Down Plate (Hold-Down Bar / Crop Hold-Down Rod)
Holds standing crop steady before it is cut by the cutter bar
Prevents lodged or tall-stalk crops from leaning forward and being missed
Limits vertical movement of the crop before cutting, ensuring consistent stubble height
Most headers are equipped with 1–2 hold-down plates, bolted to the side panels. Some models allow height adjustment.
Tensioning Mechanism Assembly
| Component | Function |
| Tensioning Chain Wheel | Presses against the slack side of the chain to maintain tension |
| Tension Spring | Provides tensioning force |
| Adjusting Bolt | Adjusts tensioning position |
| Retaining Ring / Washer | Fixes the tension wheel position |
| Split Pin | Locks the pin shaft |
Chain Box / Chain Cover Weldment
Protects operators and crops from being caught by the moving chain
Prevents straw and weeds from wrapping around sprockets and chains
Prevents stones and debris from falling into the chain drive system
Reduces grease throw-off from the chain
Drive Chain & Sprocket
| Component | Function |
| Drive Chain | Usually a heavy-duty roller chain, transmits power |
| Drive Sprocket | Mounted on the input shaft, receives power |
| Driven Sprocket | Mounted on the auger shaft or cutter bar shaft |
| Tensioning Sprocket | Part of the tensioning mechanism |
Eccentric Shaft / Swing Arm / Wobble Assembly
| Component | Function |
| Eccentric Shaft | Has an eccentric journal; produces swinging motion when rotating |
| Swing Arm | Connects the eccentric shaft to the cutter bar beam, transmits reciprocating force |
| Wobble / Bearing Housing | Supports the swing arm and allows it to swing |
| Bearing | Usually a deep groove ball bearing, supports the eccentric shaft |
| Harvester Oil Seal / Dust Cover | Protects the bearing from dust and grease leakage |
Bearings, Seals, Circlips & Fasteners
| Component | Function |
| Deep Groove Ball Bearing | Supports rotating shafts such as auger shaft, eccentric shaft, and reel shaft |
| Spherical Ball Bearing | Self-aligning bearing, accommodates installation deviation |
| Oil Seal | Prevents grease leakage and mud/dust ingress |
| Internal / External Circlips | Axially positions bearings and shafts |
| Hex Flange Bolt & Nut | Main connecting fasteners of the assembly |
| Spring Washer / Flat Washer | Prevents loosening under vibration |
| Rubber Boot / Dust Cover | Protects bolt holes and shaft ends |
Common Faults and Replacement Signals
| Fault Symptom | Possible Cause | Components to Check |
| Cutter bar vibrates heavily, uneven stroke | Eccentric shaft or bearing wear | Eccentric shaft, bearing, swing arm |
| Chain abnormal noise, tooth skipping | Chain loose or elongated | Drive chain, tensioning mechanism, sprocket |
| Poor crop feeding | Frame deformation or auger bearing wear | Header body frame, auger bearing, oil seal |
| Oil leakage at shaft end | Oil seal wear | Oil seal, dust cover, bearing |
| Header sinks or tilts | Frame cracked or bent | Side panels, crossbeams, mounting brackets |
| Loud noise inside chain box | Chain or sprocket wear | Chain, drive sprocket, tension wheel |
| Bolts loose after one season | Vibration fatigue | All flange bolts, washers, nuts |
How to Choose Header Body Assembly Replacement Parts
Different brands and models of header body assemblies differ in mounting dimensions, drive method, and parts configuration. If you plan to purchase header body assembly parts, be sure to purchase according to the specific machine model and part number. You can leave us a message with your harvester model or photos, and we will provide a free quotation.
Confirm Model and Header Width
Harvester brand and model (e.g., Kubota DC70, Yanmar AW70V, Lovol RG50)
Header width (2.0m, 2.5m, etc.) — different widths are not interchangeable
Part number (OEM number) of the header body assembly
Confirm Replacement Scope
| Replacement Scope | Contents | Applicable Scenario |
| Single part | Bearing, sprocket, tension wheel, eccentric shaft | Local wear, other parts intact |
| Sub-assembly | Wobble drive assembly, tensioning mechanism assembly, chain box weldment | The subsystem has failed as a whole |
| Complete header body assembly | Frame + hold-down plate + tensioning + chain drive + eccentric shaft + bearings, full set | Severe assembly wear, refurbished machine |
Confirm Material and Process
Header body weldments are usually welded from Q235 or Q355 steel plates. Critical load-bearing areas may use cast steel or forged steel. Standard parts such as bearings and sprockets are selected according to original specifications.
Why Choose Maikeyier for Header Body Assembly Replacement Parts?
Maikeyier is an agricultural parts supplier with forging manufacturing capability at its core. Our factory and warehouse are located in Wujin District, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, China. We have provided complete harvester parts services to customers in more than 25 countries worldwide, and the header section is one of our best-selling product lines.
- Forging capability: We can independently forge eccentric shafts, drive shafts, and other components with controllable quality.
- Full category coverage: Header body weldment, hold-down plate, tensioning mechanism, chain box, drive chain, sprocket, eccentric shaft, swing arm, bearings — one-stop supply.
- Compatible with mainstream brands: Kubota, Yanmar, Lovol, FMWorld and other full series harvesters.
- Mixed-lot procurement: Header body parts can be ordered together with cutter bars, knife guards, reels, undercarriage parts, etc., consolidated into one container for shipment.
- MOQ 200 pieces: Flexible minimum order; sample orders supported for quality verification before bulk purchase.
Maikeyier — Professional Supplier of Combine Harvester Header Body Assembly Replacement Parts. One-stop supply for header body weldment, tensioning mechanism, eccentric shaft, sprockets, and bearings. Send your harvester model, header width, OEM part number, or old header body photos, and Maikeyier will provide a quotation with specification options within 24 hours.