A method and control system are disclosed for monitoring operating modes of a harvester. A harvester may include one or more harvesting devices driven by one or more hydraulic circuits. A lower pressure limit and a current operating pressure may be determined for a hydraulic circuit of a harvesting device. The determined pressure limit and operating pressure may be compared, and a current operating mode for the harvester identified accordingly. The operating mode may include at least one of a waiting mode, a transport mode, a maneuvering mode, and a harvesting mode.

A method and control system are disclosed for monitoring operating modes of a harvester. A harvester may include one or more harvesting devices driven by one or more hydraulic circuits. A lower pressure limit and a current operating pressure may be determined for a hydraulic circuit of a harvesting device. The determined pressure limit and operating pressure may be compared, and a current operating mode for the harvester identified accordingly. The operating mode may include at least one of a waiting mode, a transport mode, a maneuvering mode, and a harvesting mode.

A machine for harvesting sugar-bearing ground crops such as sweet sorghum, in cold regions is described. The sugar crop harvester with various adaptations described is comprised of operational components, or features, that minimize the damage done to the crop during harvesting, particularly those things that result in deterioration of sugars prior to processing. The harvester includes several operational components that are well suited for processing sweet sorghum, particularly the dividers, base cutters, feed conveyor, de-trashing roll, brush rolls, hurler drums, de-bridging thrash roller, air blast, toppers and bin. Other components of the harvester are designed for easy maintenance. The operational components can be used with either a whole-stalk style harvester, or a chopper-style harvester.

A machine for harvesting sugar-bearing ground crops such as sweet sorghum, in cold regions is described. The sugar crop harvester with various adaptations described is comprised of operational components, or features, that minimize the damage done to the crop during harvesting, particularly those things that result in deterioration of sugars prior to processing. The harvester includes several operational components that are well suited for processing sweet sorghum, particularly the dividers, base cutters, feed conveyor, de-trashing roll, brush rolls, hurler drums, de-bridging thrash roller, air blast, toppers and bin. Other components of the harvester are designed for easy maintenance. The operational components can be used with either a whole-stalk style harvester, or a chopper-style harvester.

A modular frame system for a sugarcane harvester includes a base frame section having a forward end and an aft end, with the base frame section defining a forward interface portion at the forward end. The system also includes a plurality of interchangeable front frame sections configured to be removably coupled to the base frame section, with each front frame section having a unique frame arrangement as compared to the remainder of the interchangeable front frame sections such that each front frame section is adapted to provide a differing harvesting configuration for the sugarcane harvester when selected for installation on the base frame section. Moreover, each front frame section includes a front end and a rear interface end, with the rear interface ends of the interchangeable front frame sections defining a common interface portion configured to be coupled to the forward interface portion of the base frame section.

A modular frame system for a sugarcane harvester includes a base frame section having a forward end and an aft end, with the base frame section defining a forward interface portion at the forward end. The system also includes a plurality of interchangeable front frame sections configured to be removably coupled to the base frame section, with each front frame section having a unique frame arrangement as compared to the remainder of the interchangeable front frame sections such that each front frame section is adapted to provide a differing harvesting configuration for the sugarcane harvester when selected for installation on the base frame section. Moreover, each front frame section includes a front end and a rear interface end, with the rear interface ends of the interchangeable front frame sections defining a common interface portion configured to be coupled to the forward interface portion of the base frame section.

A structural chassis for an agricultural machine, such as sugarcane and sweet sorghum harvesters, including a removable reservoir to store hydraulic fluid and, therefore, to improve maintenance and increase the useful life and productivity of the agricultural machine. The structural chassis includes a front portion and a rear portion that supports a primary extractor assembly and a hitch for mounting an elevator assembly. The rear portion is configured to form a processing path through side walls provided with openings for mounting lower and upper feed rollers and chopper rollers. The removable reservoir is installed in a housing formed by the side walls. The removable reservoir includes an opening between the primary extractor assembly and the hitch.

A structural chassis for an agricultural machine, such as sugarcane and sweet sorghum harvesters, including a removable reservoir to store hydraulic fluid and, therefore, to improve maintenance and increase the useful life and productivity of the agricultural machine. The structural chassis includes a front portion and a rear portion that supports a primary extractor assembly and a hitch for mounting an elevator assembly. The rear portion is configured to form a processing path through side walls provided with openings for mounting lower and upper feed rollers and chopper rollers. The removable reservoir is installed in a housing formed by the side walls. The removable reservoir includes an opening between the primary extractor assembly and the hitch.

A harvester movable along a support surface. The harvester includes an inlet configured to receive crop, a blade configured to cut the crop into billet and extraneous plant matter, and a cleaning system configured to distinguish between billet and extraneous plant matter. Billet is directed toward a conveyor configured for discharging billet to a vehicle and extraneous plant matter is directed toward a hood. The hood includes a debris director defining an outlet configured to eject extraneous plant matter as residue onto the support surface. The outlet is disposed at an angle of residue ejection with respect to the support surface. The debris director is configured to adjust the angle of residue ejection with respect to the support surface.

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.