A method for compacting silage in a silo includes controlling a compacting vehicle via an electronic control device, passing over the silage deposited in the silo with the compacting vehicle, exerting a compacting action along a compacting path via the compacting vehicle, and varying the compacting action of the compacting vehicle in a location-dependent manner along the compacting path by the action of the control device.

A compactor includes a frame supporting a first roller assembly and a second roller assembly. At least one of the first roller assembly and the second roller assembly is moveable relative to the frame in a motion that includes an upward vertical component and a downward vertical component. An actuator is coupled to at least one of the first and second roller assemblies and is operable to repeatedly move at least one of the roller assemblies relative to the frame in both the upward vertical component and the downward vertical component to oscillate the roller assemblies relative to each other.

The present invention relates to a method and system of conveying harvested material within or out of a combine harvester using positive air pressure. The invention provides for a lighter, simpler process of material handling by using positive air pressure to pneumatically convey harvested material. As compared to conventional methods, the present invention incorporates lighter weight components and fewer moving parts. Systems of the present invention have more flexible layouts than conventional methods, which allows for the incorporation of different material types, easier cleaning, and potentially greater ease for process automation.

A method for assisting a compaction-appropriate distribution of harvested material in a flat silo includes providing a silo vehicle having a control unit, ascertaining a dry-substance density to be achieved via the control unit, determining a maximally producible compaction pressure via the control unit, ascertaining a maximally permissible layer thickness via the control unit for the implementation of a distribution-and-compaction process, determining a layer thickness currently being applied during the implementation of the distribution-and-compaction process in a location-specific manner via a GPS receiver, comparing the maximally permissible layer thickness and the layer thickness currently being applied in the location-specific manner via the control unit in order to ascertain a target layer thickness, and driving a regulating device of a distribution tool provided on the silo vehicle to assimilate the layer thickness currently being applied to the target layer thickness via the control unit in an automated manner.

A portable grain storage bin including a circular sidewall having a top edge and a bottom edge, a conical cover coupled to and extending upwardly and radially inwardly from the top edge of the circular sidewall, to an opening and a partial floor extending radially inwardly from the bottom edge of the circular sidewall and terminating at a free edge. The circular sidewall, conical cover and partial floor are movable between a collapsed configuration when empty and a deployed configuration when filled.

A forage compactor is provided having a frame that has cross bars supporting risers that in turn support a shaft. At least one asymmetric wheel is supported by the shaft. The wheels can be paired whereby journals are used to connect to the shaft between recesses of respective wheels. Each wheel has a first side and a second side, each with radiused portions that turn forage away from the wheel. The wheels have a band that is flush with the outer portion of the wheel sides to prevent lifting of the forage. A storage assembly is provided and is integrated into the framework. The storage assembly can be stored within the frame when the compactor is in use, and can be deployed to a locked position in order to store the compactor. A hitch framework is provided that can attach to multiple categories of three point hitches.

A modular logistics system (10) including: a container (12) having a top (14), a base (16), side walls (18) and end walls (20); and a storage frame (23) housed within the container (12) in an operationally ready state, wherein in a first configuration the side walls (18) and end walls (20) are fixed to form an enclosure around the storage frame (23) for transport of the storage system (10), and in a second configuration the end panels (20) are removable to allow extension of the storage frame (23), and at least a portion of one of the side walls (18) is removable to provide access to the storage frame (23) during use, so that the container (12) and the storage frame (23) are transported and installed as a single unit.

A system and method for remotely managing grain levels in one or more silos includes a computer system communicatively connected to one or more light sensors and grain loading drive mechanisms and/or grain supply reordering modules. When a sensor reports that a grain level has fallen below a predetermined threshold, the computer system generates an alert and forwards the alert across a wireless communications network to a user's mobile device. The user may select a user command to send to the computer system, whereupon the computer system may activate one or more grain loading drive mechanisms and/or reorder grain from the associated supplier in accordance with the response action or alternatively override the user command based upon one or more contextual determinations, the grain loading drive mechanisms able to replenish the grain levels to optimal, above-threshold levels.

A forming and wrapping unit and method for forming material into a continuous bar and wrapping the material. The unit including a forming chamber for forming material into a continuous bar, a sheet wrapping device for wrapping the continuous bar, and a controller operating on the sheet wrapping device. The sheet wrapping device and the controller are adapted to be operable independently of a rate of feeding bulk material into the forming chamber. The method includes feeding material to a wrapping position while forming the material, wrapping a sheet around the material such that the sheet at least partly overlaps a previously wrapped portion of the sheet, and transferring the wrapped material from the wrapping position to a storage ready position. The feeding of the material to a wrapping position and wrapping a sheet around the material are separately operable.

A vehicle includes a frame, a tractive element coupled to the frame, a prime mover coupled to the frame and configured to drive the tractive element to propel the vehicle, and a silage compactor. The silage compactor includes a wheel rotatably coupled to the frame and positioned to engage silage positioned below the frame, a vibrator coupled to the wheel and configured to cause the wheel to vibrate, and a controller configured to control the vibrator to vibrate the wheel while the wheel is in contact with the silage to compress the silage.