A detasseling apparatus includes a chassis having a head mounted to the chassis. The head supports a plurality of row units, each of the row units having an independently adjustable vertical position. Each row unit is independently vertically adjustable. Each row unit includes a puller or cutter, a height adjustment assembly for independently adjusting vertical position of the detasseling assembly to maintain the puller or cutter at a predetermined height relative to seed corn plants being engaged, and an optical sensing assembly. The optical sensing assembly includes a first photoelectric sensor at a first sensor height and a second photoelectric sensor at a second sensor height, the first sensor height being above the second sensor height. A processor receives and stores detasseling data related to detasseling including corn height, depth of cut, height after cutting. The information may be shown on displays to the operator, stored on board the detasseler and/or transmitted to a central control center.

An agricultural apparatus including an agricultural vehicle and a number of work units suitable for cutting a standing crop. The work units include a front work unit and two lateral work units located behind and to the sides of the front work unit, each of the work units depositing cut crop as a swath. Each of the lateral work units is supported from a central chassis by a hydraulic system. A plurality of sensors determine a speed of the agricultural vehicle, a speed of operation of each lateral work unit and a relief pressure in the hydraulic system of each lateral work unit. A control unit is configured to receive inputs from the plurality of sensors, compare the values for a desired vehicle speed or speed of operation of the mower unit and adjust the pressure relief in the hydraulic system based on this comparison. The inertia of the hydraulic control system can accordingly be compensated for and the work units are able to follow the terrain contour, resulting in an even cut.

An agricultural apparatus including an agricultural vehicle and a number of work units suitable for cutting a standing crop. The work units include a front work unit and two lateral work units located behind and to the sides of the front work unit, each of the work units depositing cut crop as a swath. Each of the lateral work units is supported from a central chassis by a hydraulic system. A plurality of sensors determine a speed of the agricultural vehicle, a speed of operation of each lateral work unit and a relief pressure in the hydraulic system of each lateral work unit. A control unit is configured to receive inputs from the plurality of sensors, compare the values for a desired vehicle speed or speed of operation of the mower unit and adjust the pressure relief in the hydraulic system based on this comparison. The inertia of the hydraulic control system can accordingly be compensated for and the work units are able to follow the terrain contour, resulting in an even cut.

A control system for an agricultural work vehicle is provided, the control system includes at least one controller, at least one control input device configured to send control signals to the at least one controller, and a header positioning assembly configured to interchangeably couple a plurality of headers to a chassis of a traction unit. The header positioning assembly is moveable between a plurality of orientations with each of the plurality of orientations providing a unique mechanical advantage. The at least one controller is configured to output a plurality of control commands corresponding to the control signals generated by the at least one control input device, and the control commands are configured to effect movement of the header positioning assembly between the plurality of orientations. An agricultural work vehicle is provided and includes the control system.

A control system for an agricultural work vehicle is provided, the control system includes at least one controller, at least one control input device configured to send control signals to the at least one controller, and a header positioning assembly configured to interchangeably couple a plurality of headers to a chassis of a traction unit. The header positioning assembly is moveable between a plurality of orientations with each of the plurality of orientations providing a unique mechanical advantage. The at least one controller is configured to output a plurality of control commands corresponding to the control signals generated by the at least one control input device, and the control commands are configured to effect movement of the header positioning assembly between the plurality of orientations. An agricultural work vehicle is provided and includes the control system.

A row crop header for a harvester having a subframe removably coupleable to a feeder housing of the harvester. A pivot assembly is supported by the subframe permitting first and second header sections to pivotably move between raised and lowered positions together or independently of the other. A cross-auger center suspension assembly rotateably supports one end of the first cross-auger section and one end of the second cross-auger section as the first and second header sections pivotally move between the raised and lowered positions.

A row crop header for a harvester having a subframe removably coupleable to a feeder housing of the harvester. A pivot assembly is supported by the subframe permitting first and second header sections to pivotably move between raised and lowered positions together or independently of the other. A cross-auger center suspension assembly rotateably supports one end of the first cross-auger section and one end of the second cross-auger section as the first and second header sections pivotally move between the raised and lowered positions.

The Multipurpose Leaf Crop Harvesting Apparatus and Processing Method will accomplish seven steps in one pass of the combine harvester. This apparatus and processing method harvests leaf crops and is configured to perform multiple processing operations, including fractionation of the leaf crop, leaf maceration, leaf sizing, elevating the leaf fraction to a transport vehicle, and stem conditioning, cutting and windrowing, in a single pass through the crop field. These steps are accomplished using a header unit, an adapter feeder macerator and a forage harvester vehicle, expeditiously removing the leaf fraction from the field. Following leaf fraction harvesting, the leaf fraction is processed by densification into forage feed products. The processed leaf fraction can be combined with other feeds to make up customized feed rations. The stem fraction is also processed. The present invention can also be used to harvest grass crops.

The Multipurpose Leaf Crop Harvesting Apparatus and Processing Method will accomplish seven steps in one pass of the combine harvester. This apparatus and processing method harvests leaf crops and is configured to perform multiple processing operations, including fractionation of the leaf crop, leaf maceration, leaf sizing, elevating the leaf fraction to a transport vehicle, and stem conditioning, cutting and windrowing, in a single pass through the crop field. These steps are accomplished using a header unit, an adapter feeder macerator and a forage harvester vehicle, expeditiously removing the leaf fraction from the field. Following leaf fraction harvesting, the leaf fraction is processed by densification into forage feed products. The processed leaf fraction can be combined with other feeds to make up customized feed rations. The stem fraction is also processed. The present invention can also be used to harvest grass crops.

In one aspect, a method for automatically controlling a height of an implement of an agricultural work vehicle relative to a ground surface may include monitoring the height of the implement relative to the ground surface; determining a proportional signal by comparing the height of the implement with a predetermined target height; detecting a local inclination of the ground surface; calculating a derivative signal based on the local inclination of the ground surface; and adjusting the height of the implement relative to the ground surface based on an output signal that includes the proportional signal and the derivative signal.