Honeybee AirFlex 200 Series Use and care manual

Revision 1.0
FLEX Header
Calibration Guide
2018
®
200 Series

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Honey Bee Manufacturing Ltd.
AirFLEX 200 Series
Revision 1.0
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Honey Bee Manufacturing Ltd.
AirFLEX 200 Series
Page 3Revision 1.0
Table of Contents
1.1 - Combine Feeder House Angle 5
1.2 - Header Specic settings on Combine. 6
1.3 - Header Calibration 7
1.4 - Initial Combine Calibraiton 9
1.5 - Combine Settings for Header Height 10
1.6 - Set Cutting Height and Adjusting During Harvest 11
1.6.1 - RIGID MODE: Divider Sensors 11
1.6.2 - RIGID MODE: Subframe Sensors 12
1.6.3 - FLEX MODE: Cutter Bar Sensors: 13
1.7 - Combine Calibrations in the Field 14
1.7.1 - RIGID MODE: Divider Sensors: 14
1.7.2 - RIGID MODE: Subframe Sensors: 16
1.7.3 - FLEX MODE: Cutter Bar Sensors: 17

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Honey Bee Manufacturing Ltd.
AirFLEX 200 Series
Revision 1.0
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Honey Bee Manufacturing Ltd.
AirFLEX 200 Series
Page 5Revision 1.0
1.1 - Combine Feeder House Angle
The Combine Feeder House must be tilted at a
specic angle for optimal header operation. With the
header mounted to the combine as outlined in the
operator manual:
1. Set the header to FLEX mode.
Fig. 1 - Select FLEX mode
2. Fully retract the hydraulic tilt cylinder.
3. Press the INFO button on the Automatix
control panel until the header height
informaiton is displayed.
FLEX | L: ----“
MODE | R: ----“
4. Lower the table until the cutter bar is fully
pushed up. The cutter bar is fully pushed up
when there are no bars on the header height
display.
Fig. 2 - Cutterbar pushed up
FLEX | L:---------“
MODE | R:---------“
Do not lower the header too far. This will result
in the entire table tilting backward and may
damage the header.
5. Slowly raise the header until 2” (2 bars)
show on the display
FLEX | L: -------“
MODE | R: -------“
Shut OFF engine, set parking brake, and
remove the key and wait for all moving parts to
stop before exiting the cab.
6. Measure down to the ground from the piviot
pin on the end paddle. There should be an
8” (20 cm) space when at the optimal feeder
house angle.
◦If the pivot point is more than 8” (20 cm)
above the ground, the tilt is too steep
and the cutter bar guards will dig into
the ground.
◦If the pivot point is less than 8” (20 cm)
above the ground, the angle is shallow
and the rear of the paddle will drag on
the ground.
R -------”
L -------”
8” (20cm)
Fig. 3 - Optimal Feeder House Angle
Raise header until 2” (2 bars) show on
FLEX Header Height Live View
7. Adjust the feeder house angle as necessary
and re-test the angle as outlined in the
previous steps. Tilt can be adjusted to suit
ground conditions and habits of the operator.

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Honey Bee Manufacturing Ltd.
AirFLEX 200 Series
Revision 1.0
1.2 - Header Specic settings on
Combine.
The combine needs to be told what type and size of
header is attached for correct operation. A generic
ex header should be selected in the combine
computer system as rigid settings may turn on an
accumulator which can cause automatic header
height issues. There are known combine specic
settings (see quick reference guide), but generally
they are:
• Header type: Combine specic, as specied in
the Quick Reference Guide.
• Header size: Cutting width equals model
number. E.g. 240 = 40 foot cutting width.
• Overlap offset: Typically a 6 inch overlap is set.
• Turn OFF any header specic settings that don’t
apply to the AirFLEX.
• E.g. oat accumulator OFF, VARIO
automatics OFF, Auto faceplate tilt OFF…
• If using on CNH combine, you may want to
setup up shift button for header tilt function now.
At the same time, you will need to connect the
multicoupler tilt wire, directly to the header tilt
valve and unplug the AUTOMATIX wire from
this function. Only one or the other should be
connected. Test the header tilt function to conrm
your connections and settings.

Honey Bee Manufacturing Ltd.
AirFLEX 200 Series
Page 7Revision 1.0
1.3 - Header Calibration
With the combine faceplate angle and header setting
done, we can now calibrate the header. The header
does NOT need to be running for this process, but
all hydraulic and electrical connections need to be
made, and the combine connection to the header
LOCKED properly. The header calibration will be
performed with the header tilted OUT fully (header
tilt cylinder fully extended), and with the gauge
wheels & dividers attached. This initial calibration
must be done in FLEX mode, so that all sensors get
calibrated.
1. With the header tilted fully out, lower the
header until the dividers touch the ground.
The header should be low enough so you can
reach the gauge wheel cranks.
Fig. 4 - Tilt forward and lower until divider touches ground
Fully extended
Divider
touching
ground
Shut OFF engine, set parking brake, and
remove the key and wait for all moving parts to
stop before exiting the cab.
2. Lower the gauge wheels until the
indicator gauge is showing 10 inches.
Use the same setting for both sides.
Fig. 5 - Lower gauge wheel to #10
3. On the AUTOMATIX display, enter the
calibration mode and follow the instructions.
4. When requested to lower the header until
the knife is fully pushed up, the subframe
should be pushed all the way down until it
stops moving (to ensure full deection of the
subframe header height sensors).
◦Conrm this by looking at the subframe
airbag straps to ensure they are
straight/tight.
Fig. 6 - Ensure staps are tight.

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Honey Bee Manufacturing Ltd.
AirFLEX 200 Series
Revision 1.0
Shut OFF engine, set parking brake, and
remove the key and wait for all moving parts to
stop before exiting the cab.
6. You may have to put a wood block under the
divider extensions to ensure that they deect
UP fully during the calibration. Check this
when conrming previous step.
Fig. 7 - Use wood block to ensure full divider deflection
It is important to make sure that the divider sensor
goes through the complete range of motion during
calibration.
7. Lower the header fully down and then get out
and lift the dividers up, to see the size of the
block you will need. It is very important that
the dividers get calibrated for their FULL range
of motion.
• Blocking will depend on the type and
position of your divider extensions and
whether or not you have skid shoes
installed. Ideally, skid shoes are fully up
or removed for FLEX cutting, unless it is
desired to cut in FLEX mode at a pre-set
height above the dirt.
8. When requested to raise the header 3 feet up,
ensure the gauge wheels are NOT touching
at this point (no adjustment to them should be
required).
9. When done, you should see “Calibration
Completed NORMALLY”. If not, troubleshoot
and repeat.
10. Conrm the header calibration was completed
sucessfully by looking at the 2nd INFO
(press the info button twice) screen on the
AUTOMATIX display. It shows the calibrated
sensors in a range of 0 to 100 percent.
100 100 100 100%
???? 100 100 ????%
• Top row: Left Divider, Left Flex, Right Flex,
Right Divider
• Bottom row: Not used, inner left center
sensor, inner right center sensor, not used
11. Lift and lower the header and conrm that
all the values show the full range of 0 to 100
percent. If not, troubleshoot and repeat.

Honey Bee Manufacturing Ltd.
AirFLEX 200 Series
Page 9Revision 1.0
1.4 - Initial Combine Calibraiton
Perform this step, only after sections 1.1, 1.2 and
1.3 are complete.
The combine must be calibrated to work correctly
with the header. Ensure the header is in FLEX mode,
tilted all the way OUT (tilt cylinder fully extended),
and with the gauge wheels retracted and out of the
way. We need the gauge wheels in position, to allow
the combine feeder house to push down low, without
tilting the header back.
1. With the header tilted fully out, lower the
header until the dividers touch the ground
◦The header should be low enough so
that you can reach gauge wheel cranks.
Fig. 8 - Tilt forward and lower until divider touches ground
Fully extended
Divider
touching
ground
2. Lower the gauge wheels until the indicator
gauge is showing 10 inches. Use the same
setting for both sides.
Fig. 9 - Lower gauge wheel to #10
10
3. On the COMBINE display, enter the calibration
mode and follow the instructions.
Fig. 10 - Perform COMBINE calibration
4. Conrm the combine completes the calibration
procedure successfully. If not, troubleshoot
and repeat. To test the combine calibration:
◦Lift the header straight up to the top
and hit resume. Watch for correct and
accurate positioning to setpoint. Once
this is conrmed working, then:
◦Lift the header all the way up and TILT
it over fully to one side and hit resume.
Watch that low side stops pushing down
and header levels off before going to
nal setpoint. If this is working then you
are good to go.

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Honey Bee Manufacturing Ltd.
AirFLEX 200 Series
Revision 1.0
1.5 - Combine Settings for Header
Height
The AirFLEX Quick Start guide gives combine
specic instruction for combine settings for header
height performance. There are some common
concepts that we will review here. Variables to
adjust, relate to height positioning and lateral tilt
positioning:
• Lift and Drop rate settings set the max
speed of valve functions.
◦When manually positioned, the header
should move from full down to full up in
about 5 seconds. (faster)
◦When manually positioned, the header
should move from full up to full down in
about 7 seconds. (slower)
• Height and Tilt sensitivity sets the rate of
acceleration to the max speed set in the
previous step.
• The lift sensitivity and the lateral tilt
sensitivity should not be similar in value.
◦Normally the height sensitivity would
be adjusted as high as possible until it
starts to hunt, and then backed off in
10% increments until stable. E.g. hunts
at 100, back off to 90, then 80… until
hunting is not detected. Let’s say the
result is 80 (for this example).
◦Normally the lateral tilt sensitivity would
be the height sensitivity (80), divided by
2 (40), minus 10% (4), for a resulting
setting of 36.
◦The purpose of this is to ensure that
one function is signicantly more active
than the other. This provides the best
response in the header height control
system on the combine.
In some cases (smaller combines), it may be better
to have the lateral tilt have the higher setting and
the lift, the lower setting. This improves pitching
stability on smaller platforms.

Honey Bee Manufacturing Ltd.
AirFLEX 200 Series
Page 11Revision 1.0
1.6 - Set Cutting Height and
Adjusting During Harvest
Setting your cutting height is straight forward, but
when using the subframe sensors pay careful
attention as the process will be different than the
other two modes.
1.6.1 - RIGID MODE: Divider Sensors
Ensure the header is tilted all the way OUT (tilt
cylinder extended), with gauge wheels retracted
out of the way to start.
1. With the header tilted fully OUT, lower the
header until at your desired cutting height.
Fig. 11 - Set cutting height with header tilted forward
Desired cutting height
Fully extended
2. Save this setpoint on the combine: see
Quick Start Guide for combine specic
instructions.
3. Lower the gauge wheels until they are
touching the ground. They should NOT be
compressed.
Fig. 12 - Lower gauge wheels until they touch the ground
In divider sensor mode, gauge wheels only
provide stabilization, and should not impact header
height.
4. Adjust your cut height using the combine
controls

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Honey Bee Manufacturing Ltd.
AirFLEX 200 Series
Revision 1.0
1.6.2 - RIGID MODE: Subframe
Sensors
Ensure the header is tilted to HALF way out (tilt
cylinder extended half way through its range),
with the gauge wheels retracted and out of the
way to allow the combine feeder house to push
down low, without tilting the header back.
1. Conrm the RIGID air pressure is set to 90.
HOUR|RIGID MODE|AIR
0.00|CENTER SNS| 90
Fig. 13 - Center Sensor Mode standby screen
2. With the header level and tilted to HALF the
tilt range, lower the header to your desired
cut height.
Fig. 14 - Set cutting height with tilt cylinder HALF extended
Desired cutting height
Half extended
3. Lower the LEFT gauge wheel until it is
touching the ground.
4. Raise the header a few inches and lower the
LEFT gauge wheel an additional 1.5 inches.
5. Take note of the height indicator on the LEFT
gauge wheel and lower the RIGHT gauge
wheel to the same value.
6. Lower the header until AUTOMATIX bar-
graph is showing 70-80% (missing 2 or 3
bars) and save the combine setpoint.
RIGID| L: --%
MODE | R: --%
This setpoint does not change after it is set.
Any major change to your cut height are made
only with gauge wheel adjustments.
Minor changes to your cut height can be made
using the header tilt cylinder. Running the header
in the middle of the tilt range will allow cutting
height adjustment in both directions: higher and
lower.

Honey Bee Manufacturing Ltd.
AirFLEX 200 Series
Page 13Revision 1.0
1.6.3 - FLEX MODE: Cutter Bar
Sensors:
Ensure the header is tilted all the way BACK (tilt
cylinder fully retracted), with the gauge wheels
removed or fully retracted (UP and NOT touching
the ground).
Tilt cylinder
Fully Retracted
Gauge Wheels Fully Retracted
Fig. 15 - Header tilted BACK, gauge wheels retracted.
1. Press the INFO button on the Automatix
control panel until the header height
informaiton is displayed.
FLEX | L: ----“
MODE | R: ----“
2. With the header tilted fully BACK, lower
the header until the cutter bar is pushed all
the way up (no bars on the header height
display).
FLEX | L:---------“
MODE | R:---------“
Fig. 16 - Header lowered all the way down.
3. Lift the header until 1.5 to 2 bars show on
the AUTOMATIX bar-graph.
FLEX | L: -------“
MODE | R: -------“
4. Save a setpoint on the combine for this
position.
◦In FLEX mode we always want this
setting to be 1.5 to 2 bars.
You should NEVER use gauge wheels in FLEX
mode. They will ght the header height system
and do the opposite of what you want resulting
in damage to the header.

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Honey Bee Manufacturing Ltd.
AirFLEX 200 Series
Revision 1.0
1.7 - Combine Calibrations in the
Field
The preceding pages, detail INITIAL setup
procedures. They are designed to complete the
initial setup process in the simplest way, with the
fewest steps. When running in the eld, further
calibrations may be required.
Alternate calibration procedures are available to
match the mode the equipment is operating in, while
performing eld work.
Combine header height calibrations can be
performed in Rigid as well as Flex mode. The
procedures here, allow calibrations to be performed,
without changing your operating setup and to save
time during harvest. Combine calibrations should be
done in optimal locations with hard at ground, under
both the header and the combine. Calibrations done
poorly, will result in frustrating performance issues in
the eld.
1.7.1 - RIGID MODE: Divider Sensors:
1. With the header tilted fully out (tilt cylinder
extended), lower the header until the dividers
just touch the ground.
Divider
touching
ground
Fully extended
Fig. 17 - Tilt fully forward & lower until dividers touch ground
2. Lower the gauge wheels until the indicator
gauge is showing 10 inches. Use the same
setting for both sides.
Fig. 18 - Lower gauge wheel to #10
10
3. You will probably have to put a block of wood
under the divider extensions to ensure that
they deect UP fully during the calibration.
◦Lower the header fully down and then
get out and lift the dividers up, to see
the size of the block you will need.
It is very important that the dividers
get calibrated for their FULL range of
motion.
Fig. 19 - Use wood block to ensure full divider deflection
Blocking will depend on the type and position of
your divider extensions and whether or not you
have skid shoes installed. Ideally, skid shoes are
fully up or removed for FLEX cutting, unless it is
desired to cut in FLEX mode at a pre-set height
above the dirt.

Honey Bee Manufacturing Ltd.
AirFLEX 200 Series
Page 15Revision 1.0
4. On the COMBINE display, enter the
calibration mode and follow the instructions.
Fig. 20 - Perform COMBINE calibration
5. Conrm the combine completes the
calibration procedure successfully. If not,
troubleshoot and repeat. To test the combine
calibration:
◦Lift the header straight up to the top
and hit resume. Watch for correct and
accurate positioning to setpoint. Once
this is conrmed working, then:
◦Lift the header all the way up and TILT
it over fully to one side and hit resume.
Watch that low side stops pushing down
and header levels off before going to
nal setpoint. If this is working then you
are good to go.

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Honey Bee Manufacturing Ltd.
AirFLEX 200 Series
Revision 1.0
1.7.2 - RIGID MODE: Subframe
Sensors:
1. With the header tilted HALF out, lower
the header until the dividers just touch the
ground.
Fig. 21 - Tilt half-way forward & lower until dividers touch ground
Half extended
Divider
touching
ground
2. Lower the gauge wheels until the indicator
gauge is showing 10 inches. Use the same
setting for both sides.
Fig. 22 - Lower gauge wheel to #10
10
3. On the COMBINE display, enter the
calibration mode and follow the instructions.
Fig. 23 - Perform COMBINE calibration
4. Conrm the combine completes the
calibration procedure successfully. If not,
troubleshoot and repeat. To test the combine
calibration:
◦Lift the header straight up to the top
and hit resume. Watch for correct and
accurate positioning to setpoint. Once
this is conrmed working, then:
◦Lift the header all the way up and TILT
it over fully to one side and hit resume.
Watch that low side stops pushing down
and header levels off before going to
nal setpoint. If this is working then you
are good to go.

Honey Bee Manufacturing Ltd.
AirFLEX 200 Series
Page 17Revision 1.0
1.7.3 - FLEX MODE: Cutter Bar
Sensors:
Ensure the header is tilted all the way BACK (tilt
cylinder fully retracted), with the gauge wheels
removed or fully retracted out of the way: THIS
SHOULD BE THE CASE ALREADY IF YOU ARE
RUNNING IN FLEX.
1. With the header tilted fully BACK, lower
the header until the dividers just touch the
ground.
Fig. 24 - Tilt back & lower until dividers touch ground
Retracted
Dividers
touching
ground
2. On the COMBINE display, enter the
calibration mode and follow the instructions.
Fig. 25 - Perform COMBINE calibration
3. Conrm the combine completes the
calibration procedure successfully. If not,
troubleshoot and repeat. To test the combine
calibration:
◦Lift the header straight up to the top
and hit resume. Watch for correct and
accurate positioning to setpoint. Once
this is conrmed working, then:
◦Lift the header all the way up and TILT
it over fully to one side and hit resume.
Watch that low side stops pushing down
and header levels off before going to
nal setpoint. If this is working then you
are good to go.
4. Adjust your combine header lift and
tilt sensitivities to achieve smooth but
responsive positioning without hunting.