Apparatus for gathering bales that include a forward-looking sensor to sense the bale are disclosed. The apparatus may also include a control system that is configured to alter a portion of the apparatus to lift the bale based on output from the forward-looking sensor. Methods for transferring bales that use such an apparatus are also provided.

A bubble-up auger for a combine harvester includes a rotatable shaft, a lower auger section either mounted to or forming part of the rotatable shaft, and an upper auger section that is removably connected to the lower auger section, and includes an opening through which the shaft is at least partially positioned. The upper auger section is moveable between a first position where the upper auger section is detached from the lower auger section and a second position where the upper auger section is connected to the lower auger section.

A bubble-up auger for a combine harvester includes a rotatable shaft, a lower auger section either mounted to or forming part of the rotatable shaft, and an upper auger section that is removably connected to the lower auger section, and includes an opening through which the shaft is at least partially positioned. The upper auger section is moveable between a first position where the upper auger section is detached from the lower auger section and a second position where the upper auger section is connected to the lower auger section.

A bale processor and transport apparatus includes a bale processor, and a hitch assembly attached to a rear end of the bale processor. A bale trailer is attached to the hitch assembly, and the bale trailer comprises a trailer conveyor operative to move bales forward on the bale trailer. A lift frame is provided on the bale processor above the hitch, and the lift frame is operative to receive a transported bale from the trailer conveyor and pivot the transported bale upward and forward into a chamber of the bale processor.

A bale processor and transport apparatus includes a bale processor, and a hitch assembly attached to a rear end of the bale processor. A bale trailer is attached to the hitch assembly, and the bale trailer comprises a trailer conveyor operative to move bales forward on the bale trailer. A lift frame is provided on the bale processor above the hitch, and the lift frame is operative to receive a transported bale from the trailer conveyor and pivot the transported bale upward and forward into a chamber of the bale processor.

Robots for autonomous harvesting of hydroponically grown organic matter with different harvesters are disclosed. The autonomous harvesting involves using one or more robots to (1) navigate a hydroponics arrangement or environment to arrive at locations of harvestable organic matter, (2) identify mature organic matter for harvesting from under-ripe or over-ripe organic matter using the robot's sensors, (3) identify the irregular positions and the irregular extraction points at which the mature organic matter is to be correctly harvested using the robot's sensors, (4) harvest the organic matter at the identified positions using the robot harvester, and (5) place the extracted organic matter into a storage bay for delivery to a packaging or shipment station. The harvester includes one or more of a vacuum, gripper, cutting saw, or clipping shears disposed about a distal end of an extendable or mechanical arm mounted atop a lift.

A harvesting machine includes a header configured to gather harvested material into the harvesting machine during a harvesting operation, a conveyance subsystem configured to convey the harvested material from the harvesting machine to a receiving vehicle during the harvesting operation, an image capture system comprising at least one optical sensor, and a control system configured to determine a position of the receiving vehicle relative to the harvesting machine, determine an image magnification factor based on the determined position, and display, on a display device, an image of a portion of the receiving vehicle based on the image magnification factor.

A harvesting machine includes a header configured to gather harvested material into the harvesting machine during a harvesting operation, a conveyance subsystem configured to convey the harvested material from the harvesting machine to a receiving vehicle during the harvesting operation, an image capture system comprising at least one optical sensor, and a control system configured to determine a position of the receiving vehicle relative to the harvesting machine, determine an image magnification factor based on the determined position, and display, on a display device, an image of a portion of the receiving vehicle based on the image magnification factor.

A receiving vehicle is automatically identified and the number of times it is filled is automatically counted. Control signals can be generated based on the number of times the receiving vehicle is filled.

A hay bale handling apparatus for handling multiple hay bales at once includes a frame which is configured to mount to a vehicle. A pair of bale holder assemblies is coupled to the frame. Each bale holder assembly is configured for holding a hay bale. The bale holder assemblies are laterally spaced from each other with respect to the frame and are movable between a retracted condition and an expanded condition wherein the pair of bale holder assemblies move away from each other from the retracted condition to the expanded condition. At least one actuator is coupled to at least one of the pair of bale holder assemblies. The at least one actuator is operable to move the pair of bale holder assemblies between the retracted condition and the expanded condition.