A line acquisition system generates a curvature profile based on initial vehicle states (starting position, heading, curvature and speed), vehicle steering capabilities (calibrated vehicle curvature and curvature rate limits), and initial vehicle position errors relative to the destination path. The curvature profile describes changes in vehicle curvature over a path distance from a current position to a destination path. The line acquisition system constructs an acquisition path from a combination of clothoid, circular arc, and straight lines corresponding with different segments of the curvature profile. The acquisition path can be displayed on a user interface allowing a vehicle operator to observe, prior to automatic steering engagement, the path the vehicle would take from a current state to the destination path.

An implement includes a global positioning system (GPS) receiver and an implement control system. The global positioning system receiver is configured to obtain position information for the implement. The implement control system is configured to determine a lateral error for the implement based on the position information, estimate a lateral error for a vehicle relative to the implement, the vehicle being attached to the implement, and steer the vehicle to guide the implement based on at least the lateral error for the implement and the lateral error for the vehicle.

A method for operating an agricultural vehicle. The method including capturing, by the at least one image capturing device, image data of the implement and receive, by the controller, the image data of the implement, The method further includes identifying the implement, by the controller, depending at least in part upon the image data of the implement. The method further includes setting, by the controller, at least one operational parameter of the implement, and managing, by the controller, a turning maneuver of the agricultural vehicle depending at least in part upon the image data of the implement.

A steering system for an agricultural vehicle that includes a steering wheel, a steering wheel sensor operably connected to the steering wheel, a drive selector having a forward position, a neutral position, and a reverse position, an actuating device configured for being operably connected to the steerable wheels of the agricultural vehicle, and an electronic control unit operably connected to the steering wheel sensor, the drive selector, and the actuating device. The electronic control unit is configured for selectively preventing a rotation of the steering wheel from steering the steerable wheels in the neutral position of the drive selector.

An agricultural machine includes one or more tires, a detector to detect a low pressure state in which a pressure of one of the tires is lower than a reference range or a high pressure state in which the tire pressure is higher than the reference range, and a controller to control an operation of at least one of the agricultural machine and an additional agricultural machine to be linked to the agricultural machine. One of the agricultural machine and the additional agricultural machine is a work vehicle that is capable of self-driving, and the other one is an implement to be linked to the work vehicle. The controller causes, in response to detection of the low or high pressure state, at least one of the agricultural machines to perform a specific operation that is different from an operation to be performed when the pressure is in the reference range.

A system and method for controlling an implement connected to a vehicle is described, wherein the implement is adapted to perform an agricultural operation on a field, the vehicle has steerable ground engaging means for propelling the vehicle over the field, an actuator is arranged to control at least one of a yaw angle and a lateral position of the implement with respect to the vehicle, and an implement control unit is programmed to control the actuator based upon a first signal regarding a difference between a sensed lateral position of the implement and a nominal lateral position of the implement and a second signal regarding a steering movement of the vehicle.

A steering system for controlling an agricultural machine having a pair of front and rear wheels includes a controller and a steer input sensor for detecting a change in an operator steer input corresponding to a steer command. The system includes a displacement input for communicating a motor displacement associated with an operating mode. A primary differential steering system includes a drive motor for operably controlling the pair of front wheels and a secondary steering system controls the pair of rear wheels. The controller determines if the motor displacement is being controlled according to a first motor displacement or a second motor displacement, and outputs a control signal to actuate first and second actuators as a function of the steer command. The control signal includes a rear steering gain that is a function of machine speed and either the first motor displacement or the second motor displacement.

A steering system for controlling an agricultural machine having a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels includes a controller, an operator steer input for communicating a steer command, a steer input sensor for detecting and outputting the steer command to the controller, a primary differential steering system for operably controlling the pair of front wheels, and a secondary steering system for operably controlling the pair of rear wheels. The secondary steering system includes a first actuator for controlling a first rear wheel and a second actuator for controlling a second rear wheel. The primary differential steering system is controlled based on the steer command. The controller outputs a control signal to operably actuate the first and second actuators at a non-linear steering gain rate as a function of the steer command.

An agricultural machine having an auxiliary vehicle with a driver's workplace, an agricultural vehicle with a loading ramp for transporting the auxiliary vehicle and a control unit. The agricultural machine is operable in a combined configuration in which the auxiliary vehicle is placed on the loading ramp or in a separated configuration in which the auxiliary vehicle is removable from the loading ramp. The driver's workplace has a human machine interface for controlling a manual driving function of the agricultural vehicle and a manual driving function of the auxiliary vehicle. The control unit is configured to disable the manual driving function of the auxiliary vehicle if the combined configuration of the agricultural machine is present and to enable the manual driving function of the auxiliary vehicle if the separated configuration of the agricultural machine is present.

A system that includes an agricultural tractor that includes a steering mechanism for steering at least one surface-engaging member so as to cause changes in a direction of movement of the agricultural tractor; and an agricultural implement that is towed behind the agricultural tractor. The system further includes at least one forward sensor for sensing one or more objects or conditions located forwardly of the agricultural tractor and at least one lateral sensor for sensing one or more objects or conditions that when sensed are located laterally of the agricultural tractor or implement. The system further includes a controller that acts in dependence on at least one output of the at least one lateral sensor to take account of a presence of the one or more objects or conditions sensed by the at least one lateral sensor.