Systems and methods for geospatial yield mapping by managing and modeling a system-based delay between crop location and crop sensing. The system stores a plurality of yield rate values indicative of crop yield detected by a sensor and a plurality of geospatial location values as time sequence data sets. The system then maps a yield rate value to a geospatial location value by determining an offset indicative of a total delay time from when the crop is cut from the field to when the crop is detected by the yield sensor. In some implementations, the delay value is determined as an integer multiple of a defined sampling frequency and is determined as a sum of a plurality of delay component values each indicative of a portion of the total delay time associated with a different one of a plurality of component systems of the crop harvester.

A combine (10) including a cutting wheel for harvesting crop, a separating system (24) for threshing the harvested crop to separate grain from residue, at least one of a yield monitor (115) or a loss monitor (113), a crop cleaning system (26) including a cleaning fan (52), and a controller (310) coupled to the at least one of the yield monitor (115) or the loss monitor (113). The controller (310) controls the crop cleaning system (26), and is configured to determine at least one of a throughput from the yield monitor (115), or a loss from the loss monitor (113), compare the determined throughput or loss to a respective throughput threshold or loss threshold, and control a speed of the cleaning fan (52) based on the throughput or loss comparison.

A method and an apparatus for determining a throughput of a harvesting machine. More specifically, a harvesting machine having a throughput sensor and electronic control device, the throughput sensor calibrated on part of a field with a crop stand of constant density to consider the influence of the rate of advancement and the rate of conveyance of the crop on the signal of the throughput sensor.

A crop quality sensor, comprising an illumination source, an imaging device, and a processor executing application software. The illumination source is shone onto a crop sample, and an image is taken with the imaging device of the illuminated crop sample. The software executing on the processor is used to analyze the image to identify the outlines of individual kernels and to identify which of those outlines contain a specular highlight, indicative that the kernel is whole and unbroken, while the absence of such a specular highlight is indicative of a broken kernel.

A system for determining performance data of plants growing in a field. The system comprises a mass flow meter for generating mass data related to the mass of plant product passed through the mass flow meter, and that is communicatively connected to a computer based data processing system; a temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the air adjacent the mass flow meter or within the mass flow meter, and that communicatively connected to the computer based data processing system, and a moisture sensor for determining the moisture of air adjacent the mass flow meter or within the mass flow meter, and that is communicatively connected to the computer based data processing system. The computer based data processing system is structured and operable to utilize the mass data, the air temperature and the air moisture to determine a yield of the plants from which the plant product was harvested.

A control system and method for controlling the positioning of an adjustable deflector plate employed in a harvesting combine to adjust a side-to-side flow of crop residue to spreaders associated with the combine and the distribution thereby. The deflector plate is operably extendable into the flow of crop residue to redirect crop residue impinging the deflector plate. The deflector plate is adjusted based upon a comparison between the open/closed states of valves associated with the control system.

A monitoring system for a combine harvester. The monitoring system includes a sensor configured to provide a measurement wave to a flow of crop residue on the harvester and to receive a response wave from the flow of crop residue. The monitoring system further includes a processor having an input terminal for receiving a response signal of the sensor representative of the response wave. The processor is configured to determine a crop parameter associated with the density of the flow of crop based on the response signal of the sensor. The processor further has an output terminal for outputting a density signal representing the crop parameter.

In accordance with an example embodiment, an agricultural work vehicle includes a propulsion system for modifying vehicle speed, a harvesting system for harvesting crop, a perception system having at least one camera with a field of view of a forward zone in front of the vehicle, and a controller. The controller communicates with the propulsion, harvesting, and perception systems, and is configured to receive the perception signal, identify a harvest condition in the forward zone, adjust an operation setting of the propulsion system or harvesting system, and generate a forward-looking perception interface for a display screen. The forward-looking perception interface includes a forward zone area displaying the field of view and a status area displaying at least one harvest condition identified. The status area also displays a time and a sensitivity level associated with the at least one harvest condition identified.

A material independent mass flow sensor is used to generate signals that can be used to calculate mass flow of grain harvested by a combine. A method for determining a mass of material includes the steps of receiving data from a three-measurement transducer and determining an angular center of mass location of an object based on the data from the three-measurement transducer. A coefficient of friction of the object is determined. A velocity of the object is determined. A mass of the object is determined. The mass of the object can be determined based on the angular center of mass location of the object, the coefficient of friction of the object, and the velocity of the object.

A self-propelling combine and a method for operating a self-propelling combine are disclosed. The combine includes an axial spreader, which generates a residual flow of material and supplies the residual flow of material to a downstream distribution device that discharges the residual flow of material from the combine. The axial separator in the end-side material delivery region has at least one guide element that may be moved by an actuator, thereby affecting a distribution of the exiting residual flow of material over the supply width of the distribution device. The distribution of the residual flow of material is detected by at least one sensor unit, and when a deviation from a target distribution is detected, the guide element is adjusted. A control device receives and uses a signal representing a side wind used to automatically adjust of the at least one guide element.