A system for controlling a position of a pickup on a baler comprises a sensor, a processing element, and a pickup pivot mechanism. The sensor monitors a ground area, senses a presence or absence of a windrow, and outputs a sensor signal with a first level and/or data value indicating the presence of the windrow and a second level and/or data value indicating the absence of the windrow. The processing element receives the sensor signal, and outputs a pickup signal with a first level and/or data value when the sensor signal has the first level and/or data value and a second level and/or data value when the sensor signal has the second level and/or data value. The pickup pivot mechanism receives the pickup signal, lowers the pickup when the pickup signal has the first value, and raises the pickup when the pickup signal has the second value.

A method of harvesting a crop material includes gathering the crop material with a harvesting implement as the harvesting implement moves along an initial path through a field. A location and a value of a characteristic of the gathered crop material is sensed at a plurality of intervals. A set of estimated values of the characteristic throughout the field is generated based on the sensed location and characteristic of the crop material at each of interval. A value of the characteristic of the crop material ahead of the harvesting implement is predicted as the harvesting implement moves along a harvest path, based on the set of estimated values of the characteristic of the crop material throughout the field. A function of the harvesting implement may be controlled based on the predicted value of the characteristic ahead of the pick-up.

A drive system for an agricultural baler that includes a power take off (PTO) shaft configured for being operably connected in between an agricultural vehicle and the agricultural baler and for supplying motive power to the agricultural baler, a gearbox configured for being mounted on the agricultural baler and connected to the PTO shaft for receiving motive power from the PTO shaft, a pickup drive shaft operably connected to the gearbox and configured for being operably connected to a reel of a pickup unit of the agricultural baler, at least one sensor associated with the pickup drive shaft and configured for sensing a rotational movement of the pickup drive shaft, and an electrical processing circuit operably connected to the at least one sensor. The electrical processing circuit is configured for disconnecting motive power to the reel.

A crop windrow monitoring system includes an image sensor positioned to include a field of view facing a rearward direction of a power unit, and a visual monitor operable to display an image. A computing device is operable to determine an intended direction of movement of the power unit. The image is displayed on the visual monitor in a first mode having a first magnification when the intended direction of movement includes the rearward direction. The image is displayed on the visual monitor in a second mode having a second magnification and overlaid with indicia indicating a width of the windrow when the intended direction of movement includes the forward direction. The second magnification may be larger than the first magnification.

Disclosed are methods and systems for determining the amount of material contained in a windrow. In particular embodiments, the methods and systems are applicable to agricultural applications, and in particular to hay yield monitoring. Systems include a remote sensing technology to determine windrow height. Remote sensing methods can include ultrasonic sensors, optical sensors, and the like. Systems can provide real time yield data.

An analysing device for reaped and harvested plants in a heap or swath (C), comprising: a containment shell (2), provided with a tapered conformation from a rear portion (22) towards a front portion (21) that faces an advancement direction (A) with respect to a swath (C); an analysis window (4), fashioned through a wall of the shell (2); one or more analysing sensors (5), placed inside the shell (2) in a position such as to face towards the analysis window (4), for sensing the environment outside the shell (2) through the window (4) itself.

A high-efficiency pickup baler crawler and automatic bale stacking system, includes a straw pickup stubble harvesting device, a continuous conveying preloading device, a lower feeding type compression and baling device, a bale transportation and arraying device, a bale stacking device, a walking device and a counting control. The counting control which controls the amount of bale compression chamber discharge, is used to control the bale conveying device and bale stacking device, to achieve the goals of automatic conveying, pushing and stacking, and avoids artificial secondary handling and improves the working efficiency of the system.

A high-efficiency pickup baler crawler and automatic bale stacking system, includes a straw pickup stubble harvesting device, continuous conveying preloading device, a lower feeding type compression and baling device, bale transportation and arraying device, bale stacking device, walking device and counting control. The counting control the amount of bale compression chamber discharge, which is used to control the bale conveying device and bale stacking device, achieve the goals of automatic conveying, pushing, stacking, avoids artificial secondary handling and improve the working efficiency of the system.

A paddle tine for use over a pickup tine previously fixed with a harvester reel tube of a harvesting header comprises an elongated body having a central cavity therethrough and is adapted to slide over the pickup tine of the harvester reel tube. An attachment mechanism, such as a pair of resilient clips, is fixed with the proximal end of the elongated body to secure the paddle tine to the harvester reel tube over the pickup tine. Attachment straps may also be included to further secure the paddle tine to the harvester reel tube. Two opposing paddle webs project laterally away from the elongated body proximate the distal end.

An agricultural harvester includes a header with a pickup mechanism for picking up crop from a field and a feeder for feeding the crop into the agricultural harvester for further processing. The feeder is pivotably connected to a chassis of the agricultural harvester via at least one lift cylinder. The header is connected to the feeder for pivoting therewith and includes a pickup mechanism supported by a frame. The header further includes at least one wheel for supporting the frame on the ground. A sensor is configured to detect a ground surface composition in an area behind the pickup mechanism, while a control system is operably coupled to the at least one lift cylinder and the sensor, and configured to operate the at least one lift cylinder to adjust a pressure that the header exerts on the ground in dependence of the detected ground surface composition.