A ground contour sensing system and method for a vehicle with a mowing head. The system includes a sensor system that measures a ground contour in front of the mowing head, and generates contour measurement signals; and a controller that determines whether to move the mowing head based on the contour measurement signals, and generates movement commands for the mowing head when it determines to move the mowing head. The mowing head can include tilt and lift cylinders, and the controller can determine whether to move the mowing head using the tilt or lift cylinders. The sensor system can include a pivot arm that moves in response to changes in the ground contour, and an angle sensor that measures an angle of the pivot arm. There can be one or more sensor systems positioned between the right and left sides of the mowing head.

A ground contour sensing system and method for a vehicle with a mowing head. The system includes a sensor system that measures a ground contour in front of the mowing head, and generates contour measurement signals; and a controller that determines whether to move the mowing head based on the contour measurement signals, and generates movement commands for the mowing head when it determines to move the mowing head. The mowing head can include tilt and lift cylinders, and the controller can determine whether to move the mowing head using the tilt or lift cylinders. The sensor system can include a pivot arm that moves in response to changes in the ground contour, and an angle sensor that measures an angle of the pivot arm. There can be one or more sensor systems positioned between the right and left sides of the mowing head.

A ground contour sensing system and method for a vehicle with a mowing head. The system includes a sensor system that measures a ground contour in front of the mowing head, and generates contour measurement signals; and a controller that determines whether to move the mowing head based on the contour measurement signals, and generates movement commands for the mowing head when it determines to move the mowing head. The mowing head can include tilt and lift cylinders, and the controller can determine whether to move the mowing head using the tilt or lift cylinders. The sensor system can include a pivot arm that moves in response to changes in the ground contour, and an angle sensor that measures an angle of the pivot arm. There can be one or more sensor systems positioned between the right and left sides of the mowing head.

A ground contour sensing system and method for a vehicle with a mowing head. The system includes a sensor system that measures a ground contour in front of the mowing head, and generates contour measurement signals; and a controller that determines whether to move the mowing head based on the contour measurement signals, and generates movement commands for the mowing head when it determines to move the mowing head. The mowing head can include tilt and lift cylinders, and the controller can determine whether to move the mowing head using the tilt or lift cylinders. The sensor system can include a pivot arm that moves in response to changes in the ground contour, and an angle sensor that measures an angle of the pivot arm. There can be one or more sensor systems positioned between the right and left sides of the mowing head.

An agricultural mowing device includes a linkage assembly for attaching to a towing vehicle, and a shaft having an upper end coupled to the linkage assembly for being towed in a field between two adjacent rows of planted matter. The device further includes a primary cutting device mounted to a lower end of the shaft for cutting shorter plant material, and a secondary cutting device mounted near the upper end of the shaft for cutting taller plant material. The device also includes a sensor for sensing a desired cutting height of the planted matter and being communicatively coupled to the primary cutting device or the secondary cutting device, the sensing causing an adjustment along the shaft of the respective one of the primary cutting device or the second cutting device to cut the planted matter at the desired cutting height.

An agricultural mowing device includes a linkage assembly for attaching to a towing vehicle, and a shaft having an upper end coupled to the linkage assembly for being towed in a field between two adjacent rows of planted matter. The device further includes a primary cutting device mounted to a lower end of the shaft for cutting shorter plant material, and a secondary cutting device mounted near the upper end of the shaft for cutting taller plant material. The device also includes a sensor for sensing a desired cutting height of the planted matter and being communicatively coupled to the primary cutting device or the secondary cutting device, the sensing causing an adjustment along the shaft of the respective one of the primary cutting device or the second cutting device to cut the planted matter at the desired cutting height.