A method for determining a zero roll gap condition in an agricultural machine, including: operating first and second roll-gap mechanisms to move a second conditioning roll towards a first conditioning roll until a position sensor indicates that a tensioner biasing the second roll towards the first roll has stopped moving; operating the first roll-gap mechanism in a gap-opening direction until the position sensor indicates that the tensioner moved; operating the first roll-gap mechanism in a gap-closing direction along a closing distance; operating the second roll-gap mechanism in the gap-opening direction until the position sensor indicates that the tension mechanism has moved; operating the second roll-gap mechanism in the gap-closing direction along a closing distance; and setting the current position of the tensioner, as measured by the position sensor, as a zero roll gap condition. An agricultural machine and a computer-readable medium for performing the method are also provided.

Convection interactions like exposure of seeds to hot ozonated air, hot humidified air, hot ozonated humidified air and optional ultrasoundobtain higher net reduction of germination viability (0-1 percent germination versus 70 percent obtained for a control) of seeds than that obtained via a seed illumination process alone that uses Medium Wavelength Infrared and an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution.

Convection interactions like exposure of seeds to hot ozonated air, hot humidified air, hot ozonated humidified air and optional ultrasoundobtain higher net reduction of germination viability (0-1 percent germination versus 70 percent obtained for a control) of seeds than that obtained via a seed illumination process alone that uses Medium Wavelength Infrared and an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution.

Systems and methods are provided for monitoring operation of a conditioning system of or otherwise associated with an agricultural machine. This includes driving the conditioning system to a control condition associated with an expected displacement associated with one or more components of the conditioning system and determining a determining a measured displacement for those components. The measured displacement is compared with the expected displacement to determine a calibration for a component positioning system of the conditioning system. Operation of the component positioning system can then be controlled in accordance with the determined calibration.

Systems and methods are provided for monitoring operation of a conditioning system of or otherwise associated with an agricultural machine. This includes driving the conditioning system to a control condition associated with an expected displacement associated with one or more components of the conditioning system and determining a determining a measured displacement for those components. The measured displacement is compared with the expected displacement to determine a calibration for a component positioning system of the conditioning system. Operation of the component positioning system can then be controlled in accordance with the determined calibration.

An agricultural crop conditioner comprising: a frame with a first conditioner roll rotatably mounted to the frame, and a second conditioner roll rotatably and movably mounted to the frame. A tensioner is connected between the frame and the second roll, and configured to generate a first force to bias the second roll towards the first roll. The conditioner has a roll drive circuit comprising a hydraulic pump configured to drive a hydraulic motor. A hydraulic actuator is operatively connected to a forward supply line between the pump and the motor. The hydraulic actuator is configured to change the first force as an inverse function of changes in a pressure of hydraulic fluid in the forward supply line during operation of the hydraulic motor in a forward processing direction.

An agricultural crop conditioner comprising: a frame with a first conditioner roll rotatably mounted to the frame, and a second conditioner roll rotatably and movably mounted to the frame. A tensioner is connected between the frame and the second roll, and configured to generate a first force to bias the second roll towards the first roll. The conditioner has a roll drive circuit comprising a hydraulic pump configured to drive a hydraulic motor. A hydraulic actuator is operatively connected to a forward supply line between the pump and the motor. The hydraulic actuator is configured to change the first force as an inverse function of changes in a pressure of hydraulic fluid in the forward supply line during operation of the hydraulic motor in a forward processing direction.

A crop conditioning system for an agricultural vehicle includes a crop conditioning arrangement having a frame, a first roller rotatably mounted to the frame, a second roller movably and rotatably mounted to the frame. A space between the first roller and second roller defines a gap for receiving crop material. A biasing member is operatively coupled to the second roller and biases the second roller toward the first roller. A first sensor is configured to detect the gap. A controller receives input data from the first sensor and outputs control signals to control the crop conditioning arrangement. The controller includes a processor configured to determine a status of the crop conditioning arrangement based on the input data. The determined status is indicative of a level of crop conditioning. The processor generates adjustment data indicative of an adjustment to the second roller in response to the determined status.

Conditioning performance can be monitored while harvesting a crop to determine a level of conditioning. In response to deviations from normal conditioning, various components of an agricultural machine can be adjusted to improve conditioning performance. For instance, a roll gap of a conditioner may be adjusted. Further, engine speed or vehicle speed can be adjusted to improve conditioning.

Conditioning performance can be monitored while harvesting a crop to determine a level of conditioning. In response to deviations from normal conditioning, various components of an agricultural machine can be adjusted to improve conditioning performance. For instance, a roll gap of a conditioner may be adjusted. Further, engine speed or vehicle speed can be adjusted to improve conditioning.