A01B69/007

STEERING AXLE FOR SELF-PROPELLED WINDROWER
20180093708 · 2018-04-05 ·

In one embodiment, a windrower that comprises: a dual-path steering system configured to drive a pair of drive wheels in an opposite direction of rotation and in a same direction of rotation during non-overlapping time periods; and a steering axle system configured to actively steer a pair of caster wheels while the dual path steering system drives the pair of drive wheels during each of the non-overlapping time periods.

Method and system for determining optimized travel path for agricultural implement on land with obstacle
09933787 · 2018-04-03 · ·

Methods for identifying and addressing inefficiencies in agricultural production activities caused by physical obstacles in the target field. A method and system is disclosed for determining an optimized travel path for an agricultural implement, specifically in the presence of an obstacle or obstruction such as an access road, oil well or public utility infrastructure. The method may further comprise means for determining the impact of such obstacle or obstruction on production from the agricultural land, as well as means for determining an optimized implement type and configuration. One or more travel path plans may be generated for selection of one by an agricultural producer. The method may also comprise means for determining an optimized location or position within a plot of land for an obstacle or obstruction that has not yet been constructed, as a way to reduce or alleviate the negative impact of such obstacle or obstruction on production from the plot of land.

Agricultural baler control system

An agricultural material baling system comprises, in one example, a bale forming component configured to form a bale of agricultural material from a terrain, and a control system configured to determine that the bale is to be released from the baling system onto the terrain, determine that a current location of the baling system has a slope above a threshold, determine a different location, that is spaced apart from the current location, for releasing the bale onto the terrain, and provide an output indicative of the different location. In one example, the control system is configured to receive yield data indicative of a volume of agricultural material in a path of the baler and to control the baling system based on the yield data. In one example, the yield data is obtained from a raking operation that rakes the agricultural material into a windrow.

Self-propelled agricultural machine with dual driving modes

A windrower has a first dual-path steering mode, causing a left drive wheel and a right drive wheel to concurrently rotate, wherein the rotation of the left drive wheel is in a direction opposite that of the rotation of the right drive wheel and the position of tailwheel casters are not controlled but are permitted unconstrained rotation. The windrower also has a second tailwheel steering mode non-overlapping in operation with the dual-path steering mode, causing the left drive wheel and the right drive wheel to rotate concurrently in only a same direction and the tailwheel casters are steered based in part on tailwheel caster steer position information received from a sensor.

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING AN OPERATING POINT OF AN AGRICULTURAL VEHICLE
20180084709 · 2018-03-29 · ·

A method and system for determining an operating point of an agricultural vehicle is disclosed. The agricultural vehicle includes a ground engaging device for supporting the vehicle on the ground, a propulsion engine for driving the ground engaging device, sensors for generating sensor signals, and an evaluation unit. An input parameter is entered into the evaluation unit. The evaluation unit accesses a characteristic diagram for operating parameters of the agricultural vehicle (either by generating the characteristic diagram or accessing a previously stored characteristic diagram). The evaluation unit then determines the optimal operating point of the agricultural vehicle based on the characteristic diagram. The evaluation unit determines a current operating point based on acquired vehicle parameters, and compares the current operating point with the optimal operating point. Based on the comparison, the evaluation unit may determine the operating point of the agricultural vehicle.

Headland Management System for an Agricultural Vehicle
20180054954 · 2018-03-01 ·

An agricultural vehicle (10) includes at least one geospatial sensor (44) for locating the vehicle (1) within a geographic area (14); at least one event trigger; at least one actuator for actuating a component onboard the vehicle (10); and a headland management system (HMS) (30) for carrying out a headland turn sequence (HTS) at a predetermined location within the geographic area (14). The HMS (30) includes a memory (34) for storing at least a portion of an HTS, and a visual display (46) for displaying at least a portion of an HTS. The vehicle (10) is characterized in that the HMS (30) is configured to display a real-time map on the visual display (46), including a position of the vehicle (10) on the map, and at least one future HTS event forming at least part of an HTS. The HMS (30) is configured to allow an operator to modify at least one HTS event on the real-time map.

Electronics For an Articulated Harvesting Combine

Disclosed is an articulated harvesting combine of a forward powered processing unit (PPU), a rear grain cart, and an articulation joint connecting the PPU and rear grain cart. Loss sensor pads in the straw discharge stream are graphically displaying to the operator. Articulation joint sensors rear teeth on an articulation joint arcuate beam and are used to display the degree of articulation to the operator. A jog motor permits the operator to move the feed house forwards/backwards to clear blockages. A right hand joystick and a left hand joystick provided control of all combine functions.

GNSS and optical guidance and machine control

A global navigation satellite sensor system (GNSS) and gyroscope control system for vehicle steering control comprising a GNSS receiver and antennas at a fixed spacing to determine a vehicle position, velocity and at least one of a heading angle, a pitch angle and a roll angle based on carrier phase position differences. The system also includes a control system configured to receive the vehicle position, heading, and at least one of roll and pitch, and configured to generate a steering command to a vehicle steering system. The system includes gyroscopes for determining system attitude change with respect to multiple axes for integrating with GNSS-derived positioning information to determine vehicle position, velocity, rate-of-turn, attitude and other operating characteristics. Relative orientations and attitudes between motive and working components can be determined using optical sensors and cameras. The system can also be used to guide multiple vehicles in relation to each other.

GNSS and optical guidance and machine control

A global navigation satellite sensor system (GNSS) and gyroscope control system for vehicle steering control comprising a GNSS receiver and antennas at a fixed spacing to determine a vehicle position, velocity and at least one of a heading angle, a pitch angle and a roll angle based on carrier phase position differences. The system also includes a control system configured to receive the vehicle position, heading, and at least one of roll and pitch, and configured to generate a steering command to a vehicle steering system. The system includes gyroscopes for determining system attitude change with respect to multiple axes for integrating with GNSS-derived positioning information to determine vehicle position, velocity, rate-of-turn, attitude and other operating characteristics. Relative orientations and attitudes between motive and working components can be determined using optical sensors and cameras. The system can also be used to guide multiple vehicles in relation to each other.

GUIDANCE SYSTEM WITH NAVIGATION POINT CORRECTION
20180024252 · 2018-01-25 ·

A system comprises a mobile machine including a first portion and a second portion, a positioning receiver coupled with the first portion of the mobile machine, a sensor for determining a position of the first portion of the mobile machine relative to the second portion of the mobile machine, and one or more computing devices. The one or more computing devices are configured to use information from the positioning receiver to determine a geographic location of the positioning receiver, use information from the sensor to determine a position of the first portion of the mobile machine relative to the second portion of the mobile machine, and adjust a navigation point offset according to the position of the first portion of the mobile machine relative to the second portion of the mobile machine, the navigation point offset being a difference in location between the positioning receiver and a navigation point.