A variable diameter discharge system for controlling the flow and distribution of a material being fed into a bin. The variable diameter discharge system generally includes a storage bin including a bin opening for receiving a material to be stored in the storage bin. A hopper is suspended beneath the bin opening such that materials fed into the bin opening pass through the hopper. A ring member is connected to the hopper which includes a plurality of guide members adjustable between a first position and a second position. An opening is defined between the guide members; with the opening enlarging as the guide members are adjusted toward the second position. Springs connected between the guide members and the ring member bias the guide members toward the first position. The guide members move from the first position to the second position when a material is flowing through the opening.

A combine having a feeder housing for receiving harvested crop, a separating system for threshing the harvested crop to separate grain from residue, a residue spreader wheel spinning for expelling the residue from the combine, and a controller that controls the combine. The controller is configured to control the residue spreader wheel to continuously oscillate between a first speed less than a nominal speed and a second speed greater than the nominal speed while spreading the residue.

A sweep system is presented for a grain bin. The sweep system includes an elongated body extending a length between an inward end and an outward end and having a leading side and a trailing side. The elongated body is connected to a pivot point at the center of the grain bin and is configured to rotate around the pivot point. In one or more embodiments, a tail section of the sweep system is located as the outward end of the elongated body. In one or more arrangements, a track-driven drive system is positioned in the tail section. The track-driven drive system has a continuous track formed by a continuous chain and a plurality of paddles connected thereto. The track-driven drive system is configured to move the outward end of the elongated housing around the grain bin thereby facilitating emptying of grain from the grain bin by the sweep system.

A system is presented for monitoring grain handling systems at a grain handling site. The system includes a central control system and one or more intermediate control devices communicatively connected to the grain handling systems. The central control system is configured to provide a first user interface configured to facilitate creation of a process flow and programming of the intermediate control devices to operate in accordance with the process flow. In one or more arrangements, the central control system is configured to control operation of grain handling systems to optimize the process flow for one or more performance parameters selected by a user.

A system is presented for monitoring grain handling systems at a grain handling site. The system includes a central control system and one or more intermediate control devices communicatively connected to the grain handling systems. The central control system is configured to provide a first user interface configured to facilitate creation of a process flow and programming of the intermediate control devices to operate in accordance with the process flow. In one or more arrangements, the central control system is configured to control operation of grain handling systems to optimize the process flow for one or more performance parameters selected by a user.

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 modular, low-profile apparatus for storing dry agricultural products has a horizontal configuration with coaxial aeration tubes and bi-directional distribution and dispensing augers. The apparatus provides access to dry agriculture products for storing, mixing, aerating, loading, unloading and processing.

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.

A robot comprises an auger-based drive system, a memory, and a processor coupled with the memory and configured to control movement of the robot, via the auger-based drive system, relative to grain in a grain bin. The processor is further configured to direct performance of a maintenance traversal, by the robot, of a surface of a pile of the grain during a storage period of the grain. The maintenance traversal disperses a layer of the grain on and near the surface and thus hinders crust formation on the surface during the storage period. The dispersal is effected by rotation of augers of the auger-based drive system during the maintenance traversal.