Patent classifications
A01D43/087
Control arrangement and method for controlling a position of a transfer device of a harvesting machine
An adjustable transfer device for unloading processed crop onto a container of a transport vehicle including a control arrangement with an electronic control unit, among other integrated components. Electronic control unit calculates position of expected point of incidence of crop flow on the container. Further provided is a system that identifies and tracks a target object in image data, which is then used to determine the trajectory of the target. With the trajectory known, the control arrangement can accurately direct the crop flow into the container.
Sensor arrangement for monitoring an unloading process of an agricultural harvester
A sensor arrangement for a forage harvester. The sensor arrangement includes a frame, a CCD or CMOS camera mounted to the frame in a first position, and a time-of-flight camera mounted to the frame in a second position. The CCD or CMOS camera is mounted to the frame in the first position such that, when a filling wagon is located with respect to the forage harvester in a filling position, a first image of at least a portion of the filling wagon is capturable by the first camera. The time-of-flight camera is mounted to the frame in the second position such that, when the filling wagon is located with respect to the forage harvester in the filling position, a second image of a segment of the portion is capturable by the second camera.
Residue management control system for harvester
A control system for a harvester having a residue discharge system operable to eject crop residue according to an adjustable residue discharge parameter, the control system including a processor, a memory, a human-machine interface, and a sensor configured to detect at least one of wind speed, wind direction, or humidity. The control system is configured to receive the signal from the sensor, receive an operator input corresponding to a desired residue management strategy selected from at least a first residue management strategy and a second residue management strategy, and adjust the residue discharge parameter based on the desired residue management strategy and the detected at least one of wind speed, wind direction, or humidity.
Crop harvesting machine
A crop harvesting machine has a machine body and a discharge spout attached to the machine body for overloading crop via a crop stream to a trailer. And electronic spout control and a discharge spout drive arrangement displaces the discharge spout relative to the machine body based on drive commands of the electronic spout control for guiding the crop stream to a target hit point at the trailer. A first sensor arrangement generates sensor information by optically identifying a reference feature at the trailer and detecting the position of the reference feature and/or space orientation of the reference feature. The second sensor arrangement generates sensor information by detecting a space orientation of the machine body, the discharge spout or both. The electronic spout control generates its drive commands for guiding the crop stream based on the sensor information.
BAGGER FOR STAND-ON MOWER
A bagger attachment for use with a stand-on lawn mower. The bagger includes, in some embodiments, an impeller, a duct, and one or more bags which are covered by a hood. The hood is attached to a pivot frame that allows movement of the hood between open and closed positions. The bagger attachment may also include a frame assembly that facilitates mounting and removal of the bagger attachment from the mower. The bagger attachment may either contain removable bags, or may include a discharge door for dumping the clippings.
METHOD AND STEREO VISION SYSTEM FOR FACILITATING THE UNLOADING OF AGRICULTURAL MATERIAL FROM A VEHICLE
A spout is operably connected to a transferring material for transferring the agricultural material to the receiving vehicle. An imaging device faces towards the storage portion of the receiving vehicle and collects image data. A container module is adapted to determine a container position of the storage portion, or its container perimeter. A spout module is adapted to identify a spout of the transferring vehicle in the collected image data, or to determine a spout position. An alignment module is adapted to determine the relative position of the spout and the container position based on the collected image data and to generate command data or user interface data to facilitate placement of the spout and storage container in relative cooperative alignment for transferring of material from the transferring vehicle to the receiving vehicle.
METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MEASURING A CROP MASS FLOW ON A FORAGE HARVESTER
The invention relates to a method for measuring the crop mass flow (5) on a forage harvester (1), wherein the crop is gathered by means of a crop receiving assembly and is delivered via infeed units to aggregates for comminuting and conveyance. The crop is conveyed to a transport vehicle via a discharge chute (8) provided on a discharge tower (4). A device (7) for adjusting the tilt angle of the discharge chute (8) is provided for guiding the crop mass flow (5) onto the transport vehicle. The method according to the invention is characterized by detecting the force proportional to the mass of the crop mass flow (5), which acts upon the device (7) for adjusting the tilt angle of the discharge chute (8).
Loader Positioning System
A loader positioning system which includes a positional sensor and visual indicators for centering a product being loaded from a loading vehicle into a receiving vehicle. The loader positioning system generally includes a loading vehicle including a dispenser for dispensing a material and a container for receiving the material. A sensor on the loading vehicle detects a distance between the loading vehicle and the container. A control unit receives and processes the positional data from the sensor and compares it to optimal spacing between the loading vehicle and the container such that the dispenser is centrally positioned over the container for central loading of the material into the container. A display in the loading vehicle provides movement instructions to an operator of the loading vehicle such that the dispenser is centrally positioned over the container for optimal loading of the material into the container.
Method and stereo vision system for facilitating the unloading of agricultural material from a vehicle
A spout is operably connected to a transferring material for transferring the agricultural material to the receiving vehicle. An imaging device faces towards the storage portion of the receiving vehicle and collects image data. A container module is adapted to determine a container position of the storage portion, or its container perimeter. A spout module is adapted to identify a spout of the transferring vehicle in the collected image data, or to determine a spout position. An alignment module is adapted to determine the relative position of the spout and the container position based on the collected image data and to generate command data or user interface data to facilitate placement of the spout and storage container in relative cooperative alignment for transferring of material from the transferring vehicle to the receiving vehicle.
Harvesting machine having a flail cutter and a moisture removal mechanism
A harvesting machine is disclosed along with a method of operation. The harvesting machine includes a frame having a flail cutter mounted on a first end of the frame. The flail cutter can cut the stems of growing plants. A housing surrounding a portion of the flail cutter for directing the cut plants rearward. An idler roller is positioned rearward of the flail cutter. First and second moisture removal mechanisms are positioned downstream of the cutting mechanism, and each includes a suction roll and a press roll. A moving belt forms a closed loop around the idler roller and the pair of suction and press rolls, and has a plurality of apertures formed therethrough. The moving belt forms first and second nips between each pair of suction and press rolls for squeezing moisture out of the cut stems as the stems are routed therebetween.