A method and apparatus for hydroponically growing seed and cutting grown plants into more easily digestible pieces. The method and apparatus comprising a seed delivery mechanism, advancing culture belts, at least two distinct environmental zones designed to promote ideal environments for the germination and growth of the seeds, irrigation and lighting systems, an optional recycling system for irrigation water, and a cutter assembly to cut grown plants as they advance into the cutter.

A method and apparatus for hydroponically growing seed and cutting grown plants into more easily digestible pieces. The method and apparatus comprising a seed delivery mechanism, advancing culture belts, at least two distinct environmental zones designed to promote ideal environments for the germination and growth of the seeds, irrigation and lighting systems, an optional recycling system for irrigation water, and a cutter assembly to cut grown plants as they advance into the cutter.

A draper header of an agricultural harvester comprising a first reel, a second reel spaced from the first reel a predetermined distance, and a center belt reel assembly between the first and second reels. The center belt reel assembly includes an endless belt rotationally driven about a rotational axis substantially parallel to a central rotational axis of one of the first and second reels, wherein the endless belt has a width that extends substantially the predetermined distance. The endless belt is rotationally driven by one of the first and second reels for conveying grain received between the first and second reels. As a result of the center belt reel assembly, grain between the first and second reels is fed to the center of the header where it may be conveyed to and processed by the harvester.

A control system for a work vehicle includes a controller configured to establish a first bounding shape within a storage compartment. The controller is also configured to establish a second bounding shape by mirroring the first bounding shape along a lateral centerline of the work vehicle. In addition, the controller is configured to automatically engage product flow from a conveyor outlet to the storage compartment in response to the storage compartment being positioned on a first lateral side of the work vehicle and the conveyor outlet being positioned within the first bounding shape, and to automatically engage product flow from the conveyor outlet to the storage compartment in response to the storage compartment being positioned on a second lateral side of the work vehicle and the conveyor outlet being positioned within the second bounding shape.

A control system for a work vehicle includes a controller configured to establish a first bounding shape within a storage compartment. The controller is also configured to establish a second bounding shape by mirroring the first bounding shape along a lateral centerline of the work vehicle. In addition, the controller is configured to automatically engage product flow from a conveyor outlet to the storage compartment in response to the storage compartment being positioned on a first lateral side of the work vehicle and the conveyor outlet being positioned within the first bounding shape, and to automatically engage product flow from the conveyor outlet to the storage compartment in response to the storage compartment being positioned on a second lateral side of the work vehicle and the conveyor outlet being positioned within the second bounding shape.

An apparatus for roughage processing includes a first platform for placing of a first type of roughage, a first cutting mechanism for processing the first type of roughage, a first chain for cutting the first type of roughage from the first platform to the first cutting mechanism; and a second platform, a second cutting mechanism, and a second chain for performing similar tasks with a second type of roughage. The first chain and the first cutting mechanism and the second chain and the second cutting mechanism are driven at a different speed to provide concurrent cutting of the first and second types of roughages at different cut sizes. The apparatus further includes a conveyor or an auger for concurrently collecting the first type of roughage and the second type of roughage after respective processing by the first cutting mechanism and the second cutting mechanism for effective blending of the two types of roughages, each of which has been cut differently to obtain its optimum particle size for ruminant consumption. The apparatus can be powered by a very small horse power motor. It also includes a mechanism that will stop the floor chains carrying the roughage into the knife drums when the power load force that is detected by the knife drum power load reading device reaches a predetermined amount. This predetermined amount is still within, but near the upper limits of, the available horsepower range of the small motor powering it.

An apparatus for roughage processing includes a first platform for placing of a first type of roughage, a first cutting mechanism for processing the first type of roughage, a first chain for cutting the first type of roughage from the first platform to the first cutting mechanism; and a second platform, a second cutting mechanism, and a second chain for performing similar tasks with a second type of roughage. The first chain and the first cutting mechanism and the second chain and the second cutting mechanism are driven at a different speed to provide concurrent cutting of the first and second types of roughages at different cut sizes. The apparatus further includes a conveyor or an auger for concurrently collecting the first type of roughage and the second type of roughage after respective processing by the first cutting mechanism and the second cutting mechanism for effective blending of the two types of roughages, each of which has been cut differently to obtain its optimum particle size for ruminant consumption. The apparatus can be powered by a very small horse power motor. It also includes a mechanism that will stop the floor chains carrying the roughage into the knife drums when the power load force that is detected by the knife drum power load reading device reaches a predetermined amount. This predetermined amount is still within, but near the upper limits of, the available horsepower range of the small motor powering it.

A method and apparatus for hydroponically growing seed and cutting grown plants into more easily digestible pieces. The method and apparatus comprising a seed delivery mechanism, advancing culture belts, at least two distinct environmental zones designed to promote ideal environments for the germination and growth of the seeds, irrigation and lighting systems, an optional recycling system for irrigation water, and a cutter assembly to cut grown plants as they advance into the cutter.

A method and apparatus for hydroponically growing seed and cutting grown plants into more easily digestible pieces. The method and apparatus comprising a seed delivery mechanism, advancing culture belts, at least two distinct environmental zones designed to promote ideal environments for the germination and growth of the seeds, irrigation and lighting systems, an optional recycling system for irrigation water, and a cutter assembly to cut grown plants as they advance into the cutter.