In one embodiment, a method implemented in an agricultural machine harvesting alfalfa plants, the method comprising: receiving, in real time, input corresponding to a plurality of sensed parameters corresponding to alfalfa plant height and cut alfalfa volume; associating the cut alfalfa volume to an alfalfa stem diameter; and automatically determining a feed quality value for the alfalfa plants based on the sensed alfalfa plant height and the alfalfa stem diameter.

In one embodiment, a method implemented in an agricultural machine harvesting alfalfa plants, the method comprising: receiving, in real time, input corresponding to a plurality of sensed parameters corresponding to alfalfa plant height and cut alfalfa volume; associating the cut alfalfa volume to an alfalfa stem diameter; and automatically determining a feed quality value for the alfalfa plants based on the sensed alfalfa plant height and the alfalfa stem diameter.

A cutting longitudinal swaths grain harvesting and baling combine, includes a grain cutting and conveying system, a threshing and separation system, a grain cleaning apparatus, a grain collection and holding system, a straw compression and baling apparatus, a chassis travelling system, and a driving system; when the combine is harvesting grain in fields, the stalks are cut and conveyed to the threshing and separation system by the grain cutting and conveying system; the threshed and separated straw is compressed and baled by the straw compression and baling apparatus; the threshed and separated grain is cleaned by the grain cleaning apparatus; and the cleaned grain is conveyed by the grain collection and holding system to a grain storage bin. The combine can achieve harvesting of grain such as rice and wheat as well as compression and baling of threshed straw, having advantages of high working efficiency, stable performance, a simple process, and being time and labor saving.

A cutting longitudinal swaths grain harvesting and baling combine, includes a grain cutting and conveying system, a threshing and separation system, a grain cleaning apparatus, a grain collection and holding system, a straw compression and baling apparatus, a chassis travelling system, and a driving system; when the combine is harvesting grain in fields, the stalks are cut and conveyed to the threshing and separation system by the grain cutting and conveying system; the threshed and separated straw is compressed and baled by the straw compression and baling apparatus; the threshed and separated grain is cleaned by the grain cleaning apparatus; and the cleaned grain is conveyed by the grain collection and holding system to a grain storage bin. The combine can achieve harvesting of grain such as rice and wheat as well as compression and baling of threshed straw, having advantages of high working efficiency, stable performance, a simple process, and being time and labor saving.

A system and method for conveying agricultural material in a harvester. One harvester includes a rotor which rotates to separate a plant into a first agricultural material and a second agricultural material. A grate is disposed vertically below the rotor and further separates the first and second agricultural materials from one another. A first conveyor receives the first and second agricultural material directly from a trailing end of the rotor and a trailing end of the grate.

A combine harvester is provided that separates grain material from material other than grain using multiple processing areas, including a harvesting area, a feederhouse area, a threshing area, a cleaning area, and a grain delivery area. In a location at or prior to entering one of the processing areas, the material may be collected and held until a collection threshold is reached. Once it is determined that the collection threshold is reached, the material forming a first group of material may be transported from the location to the processing area or a subsequent processing area. The first group of material is transported from the location to the processing area or the subsequent processing area substantially simultaneously and thus simulates the gathering of a large amount of crop material even when small plots are involved. In this way, reduced cycle times may be achieved, and the efficiency benefits of large-plot harvesting may be extended to small-plot applications.

A straw chopper (42) for a combine harvester (10) is provided with a housing (54-60) that has an inlet (72) and an outlet (74), a rotor (46) with suspended chopping blades (48) that is arranged in the housing (54-60), adjustably arranged counter-blades (62) and a straw dam (64). The adjustments of the straw dam (64) and of the counter-blades (62) are coupled to one another.

A straw chopper (42) for a combine harvester (10) is provided with a housing (54-60) that has an inlet (72) and an outlet (74), a rotor (46) with suspended chopping blades (48) that is arranged in the housing (54-60), adjustably arranged counter-blades (62) and a straw dam (64). The adjustments of the straw dam (64) and of the counter-blades (62) are coupled to one another.

One or more information maps are obtained by an agricultural work machine. The one or more information maps map one or more agricultural characteristic values at different geographic locations of a field. An in-situ sensor on the agricultural work machine senses an agricultural characteristic as the agricultural work machine moves through the field. A predictive map generator generates a predictive map that predicts a predictive agricultural characteristic at different locations in the field based on a relationship between the values in the one or more information maps and the agricultural characteristic sensed by the in-situ sensor. The predictive map can be output and used in automated machine control.

An assembly for selectively activating a cleaning fan of a combine harvester. The assembly includes a hydraulic pump for distributing power to the cleaning fan. The hydraulic pump is movably connected to a fixed point, and is configured to move between first and second positions. The hydraulic pump has an input portion for receiving power and a pressurized fluid port for distributing fluid to power the cleaning fan. A drive belt is wound about the input portion of the hydraulic pump and a drive pulley of the combine harvester. An actuator is provided for selectively moving the hydraulic pump between the first position, in which the drive belt is maintained in a state of tension such that the drive pulley can drive the cleaning fan, and the second position, in which the drive belt is maintained in a relaxed state such that the drive pulley cannot drive the cleaning fan.