Compound headers may include two or more crop harvester types that are operable to harvest different crops simultaneously, such as different crops grown in the same field in an intercropped relationship. The simultaneously harvested crops may be separated into individual crop flows that are handled separately from each other.

Described herein are methods and harvesters for adjusting settings of a harvester. In one embodiment, a computer implemented method includes capturing, with at least one image capture device that is located on the harvester, images of a field view of an unharvested region to be harvested, analyzing the captured images to determine crop information for a crop of a harvested region that is adjacent to the unharvested region, and adjusting settings or operating parameters of the harvester for the unharvested region based on the crop information for the crop of the harvested region.

A method for automatically controlling a harvesting parameter on a header of a combine harvester. The combine harvester includes the header, a feeder, and a downstream processing device. Crop is cut by the header, transferred to the feeder, and then transported to the processing device. The method includes steps of detecting at least one crop property in the feeder by at least one sensor and outputting at least one corresponding crop property signal; receiving the at least one crop property signal by a control unit; processing the at least one crop property signal in the control unit; transmitting at least one control signal by the control unit to at least one actuator on the header; and executing the at least one control signal in the at least one actuator so as to automatically control the harvesting parameter on the header

A method of harvesting plant product from a plant in a single pass using a combine harvester is disclosed. In the method, the plant has a protein content gradient that varies along a height of the plant. The method includes identifying, along a longitudinally-extending stalk of the plant, an upper protein gradient of the plant including high protein plant product and a lower protein gradient of the plant including lower protein plant product, wherein the high protein plant product from the upper protein gradient of the plant meets a threshold protein content that is higher than that of the lower protein plant product. The method also includes separately and substantially simultaneously harvesting the high protein plant product from the upper protein gradient and the lower protein plant product from the lower protein gradient in the single pass, and isolating the high protein plant product from the lower protein plant product.

A detection system for an agricultural header includes a belt that has at least one physical feature driven by a roller at a roller rotational speed. The detection system also includes a sensor that detects a physical feature as it passes the sensor during rotation of the belt. The detection system further includes a controller that receives a signal indicating a first pulse of a first time a physical feature passes the sensor during the rotation of the belt and a second pulse of a second time a physical feature passes the sensor during the rotation of the belt. The controller further determines a pulse frequency based on the first and second times and calculates a belt rotational speed based on the pulse frequency. The controller compares the belt rotational speed to the roller rotational speed and provides an output if the roller rotational speed exceeds a threshold.

A detection system for an agricultural header includes a belt that has at least one physical feature driven by a roller at a roller rotational speed. The detection system also includes a sensor that detects a physical feature as it passes the sensor during rotation of the belt. The detection system further includes a controller that receives a signal indicating a first pulse of a first time a physical feature passes the sensor during the rotation of the belt and a second pulse of a second time a physical feature passes the sensor during the rotation of the belt. The controller further determines a pulse frequency based on the first and second times and calculates a belt rotational speed based on the pulse frequency. The controller compares the belt rotational speed to the roller rotational speed and provides an output if the roller rotational speed exceeds a threshold.

The invention relates to a cutting mechanism (4) for installing onto a harvesting machine (2), comprising a frame (6) that has rocker arms (14) which point in the working direction and the front ends of which are secured to cutting elements (16) in order to cut the harvested crops, said rocker arms (14) together with the cutting elements (16) secured thereto being vertically movable relative to the frame (6). The aim of the invention is to provide an improved support for moving conveyor surfaces. This is achieved in that one or more support elements (20) are placed on the rocker arms (14), said support elements supporting conveyor surfaces (22) located above the rocker arms (14), and at least one of the support elements (20) is connected to the rocker arm (14) in a longitudinally movable manner.

The invention relates to a cutting mechanism (4) for installing onto a harvesting machine (2), comprising a frame (6) that has rocker arms (14) which point in the working direction and the front ends of which are secured to cutting elements (16) in order to cut the harvested crops, said rocker arms (14) together with the cutting elements (16) secured thereto being vertically movable relative to the frame (6). The aim of the invention is to provide an improved support for moving conveyor surfaces. This is achieved in that one or more support elements (20) are placed on the rocker arms (14), said support elements supporting conveyor surfaces (22) located above the rocker arms (14), and at least one of the support elements (20) is connected to the rocker arm (14) in a longitudinally movable manner.

Method for operating an agricultural harvester (1), wherein the agricultural harvester (1) has an attachment (2), wherein the attachment (2) has a receiving conveyor (7) which is driven at a defined first speed, wherein the attachment (2) has a discharge conveyor (8) which is driven at a defined second speed, wherein the harvester (1) has an infeed unit (4) with infeed rollers (5, 6) which are driven at a defined third speed. The second speed, at which the discharge conveyor (8) is driven, is determined depending on the third speed, at which the infeed rollers (5, 6) are driven, and also depending on the speed of travel of the agricultural harvester (1).

The height of a header of a self-propelled harvesting machine is controlled by a closed loop header position control system. A sensitivity control system receives parameters related to header position error (e.g., an accuracy parameter) and machine stability (e.g., a stability parameter) and automatically identifies a sensitivity metric indicative of a sensitivity with which the header position control system controls the header height, based upon the received parameters. The sensitivity metric is provided to the header position control system. The header position control system performs closed loop header position control with a sensitivity level based upon the sensitivity metric provided by the sensitivity control system.