A crop windrow monitoring system includes an image sensor positioned to include a field of view facing a rearward direction of a power unit, and a visual monitor operable to display an image. A computing device is operable to determine an intended direction of movement of the power unit. The image is displayed on the visual monitor in a first mode having a first magnification when the intended direction of movement includes the rearward direction. The image is displayed on the visual monitor in a second mode having a second magnification and overlaid with indicia indicating a width of the windrow when the intended direction of movement includes the forward direction. The second magnification may be larger than the first magnification.

Systems, apparatus, and methods for use with mergers are disclosed. A disclosed method for processing a material on a ground surface includes detecting, via one or more sensors, an object of interest associated with the material when a merger is forming a windrow on the ground surface. The method also includes a step for facilitating removal of the object of interest from the material in response to the detection.

A baler includes a housing forming a baling chamber. The baling chamber has an inlet that defines an inlet width perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the baler. A pre-cutter is disposed forward of the inlet along the central longitudinal axis and includes a cutter width perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis. The cutter width is substantially less than the inlet width. A crop distributor is disposed between the pre-cutter and the inlet and conveys the crop material from the pre-cutter to the inlet. A pick-up head is disposed forward of the pre-cutter and lifts the crop material from the ground and conveys it to the pre-cutter.

A crop baler with a stuffer flywheel mass for baling a crop, the baler comprising: a supporting frame that can be moved across a field; a crop pick-up configured to pick up the crop from a ground of the field; a conveyor configured to convey the crop picked up by the crop pick-up; a pressing chamber having a stuffer configured to compress the crop conveyed into the pressing chamber by the conveyor into a form of a bale; and a drive for producing a reciprocating movement of the stuffer, the drive further comprising a flywheel mass with a variable moment of inertia.

An agricultural machine includes a frame, and a lifting unit configured to vary a height of an operating unit with respect to a supporting surface for the machine. The lifting unit includes hydraulic cylinder with a liner and first and second pistons both slidingly housed inside the liner and arranged in series to define first and second chambers inside the liner, wherein the first and second pistons are controllable independently. The lifting unit includes a pressure stabilizer in fluid connection with the first chamber and that controls a pressure in the first chamber so that the first piston moves therein as a force generated on the first piston varies. A second control element for the second chamber carries out a volumetric control of the second chamber to control a position of the second piston regardless of a pressure inside the second chamber.

Disclosed are methods and systems for determining the amount of material contained in a windrow. In particular embodiments, the methods and systems are applicable to agricultural applications, and in particular to hay yield monitoring. Systems include a remote sensing technology to determine windrow height. Remote sensing methods can include ultrasonic sensors, optical sensors, and the like. Systems can provide real time yield data.

A unit for conveying agricultural products including a device (3) for conveying agricultural products picked up by an apparatus (2) toward an inlet to a chamber (102) of an agricultural machine (100). The device (3) includes a main rotating shaft (4) facing the apparatus (2) and a plurality of teeth (5), and an auger (6). The auger (6) includes an auxiliary rotating shaft (7) facing the apparatus (2) and contiguous and substantially coaxial to the main shaft (4). A screw (8) is wound around the auxiliary shaft (7) to push the agricultural products toward the teeth (5). Each stem of a series of stems (9) is interposed between a first surface (8a) of the screw (8) and an inner end (7a) of the auxiliary shaft (7), for facilitated movement of the agricultural products propelled by the auger (6) toward the teeth (5).

A system includes a vehicle configured to acquire field-data representative of a field having crop material that is to be picked up from the field; and a controller configured to determine control-instructions for a machine to pick up the crop material, based on the field-data. The control-instructions include machine-steering-instructions for automatically controlling the direction of travel of the machine, such that the machine follows a specific route through the field.

A system includes a vehicle configured to acquire field-data representative of a field having crop material that is to be picked up from the field; and a controller configured to determine control-instructions for a machine to pick up the crop material, based on the field-data. The control-instructions include machine-steering-instructions for automatically controlling the direction of travel of the machine, such that the machine follows a specific route through the field.

A drive system for a harvesting header of a harvester includes a drive motor, and a drive train connected between the drive motor and one or more driven elements of the harvesting header. The drive train has a variable-displacement hydraulic pump arranged on board the harvester and a hydraulic motor connected in a closed circuit to the hydraulic pump. The hydraulic motor is mounted on the harvesting header and detachably connected by hydraulic coupling connections to the hydraulic pump.