A method of storing harvested crop material in a silo includes loading the harvested crop material into a container of a transport vehicle in a field. The container includes a discharge system that is operable to unload the crop material, and which is controlled via an electronic control device. The crop material is transported from the field to the silo with the transport vehicle. The crop material is unloaded from the container of the transport vehicle directly into the silo with the discharge system. The electronic control device automatically controls at least one of the transport vehicle and the discharge system while unloading the crop material to form a harvested material layer in the silo having a predetermined layer thickness.

A method for assisting a distribution process by a distribution tool attached to a utility vehicle includes adjusting a position of a lower edge of the distribution tool by changing a lifting position of the distribution tool, determining by a sensor attached to the distribution tool a first distance between the lower edge and a surface region of the material being distributed, utilizing the first distance as a basis for adjusting the lifting position when the first distance has a value greater than or equal to zero, estimating a second distance from the lower edge of the distribution tool to the surface region based on the position of the lower edge resulting from the lifting position, and utilizing the second distance for adjusting the lifting position when the first distance has a value of less than zero.

A method for assisting a distribution process by a distribution tool attached to a utility vehicle includes adjusting a position of a lower edge of the distribution tool by changing a lifting position of the distribution tool, determining by a sensor attached to the distribution tool a first distance between the lower edge and a surface region of the material being distributed, utilizing the first distance as a basis for adjusting the lifting position when the first distance has a value greater than or equal to zero, estimating a second distance from the lower edge of the distribution tool to the surface region based on the position of the lower edge resulting from the lifting position, and utilizing the second distance for adjusting the lifting position when the first distance has a value of less than zero.

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.