An animal feedstuff processing system for processing animal feedstuff includes an animal feedstuff storage device for storing a pile of animal feedstuff, a separating device for removing a quantity of feedstuff from the pile and including a rotatable separating element and a first drive for the separating element, a movement device with a second drive, and configured for moving the separating device and the pile of feedstuff towards each other. A sensor is arranged for determining a relative position of the separating element with respect to the pile of feedstuff. A controller is configured to control the animal feedstuff processing system. During at least a part of the movement of the separating device and the pile of feedstuff towards each other, the separating device is driven in an idle mode by the first drive, wherein the separating element has no operable contact with the pile of feedstuff. The sensor measures a sensor signal representative of an operating parameter of the first drive, and the controller is configured to determine contact between the separating element and the pile of feedstuff based on the sensor signal. The animal feedstuff processing system is controlled on the basis of the determined contact.

A method for autonomously controlling a feed mixing vehicle, a vehicle having an autonomous controller, a computer program for carrying out the method, and a corresponding control device. The vehicle has a chassis, working elements for carrying out partial tasks, scanners and/or sensors for transmitting data, and at least one computer for controlling all the processes. The scanner/sensor acquires spatial data of the surroundings and generates therefrom a 3D map of the current geometry of the surroundings. The current geometry of the surroundings is placed in relationship with an area that is basically released to be traveled on by the autonomous vehicle, with the result that the navigability of the travel path of the autonomous vehicle can be checked, and in the case of detected non-navigability the travel path can be adapted autonomously to the requirements of the situational spatial surroundings and can be replaced by an alternative travel path.

A system for filling a feed mixer, the system comprising: a feed intake device configured to take in a feedstock from a stockpile; a feed processing system for processing the feedstock and directing the processed feedstock into a container of the feed mixer; and a controller associated with the feed processing system, the controller configured to control processing of the feedstock by the feed processing system based on a prescribed recipe.

Systems and method for forming a stable silo face in bulk material are disclosed. Particularly, systems and methods for forming a negative rake angle in a silo face of bulk silage are disclosed. Rotation of an articulated arm (e.g., raising and lowering), altering a length of the articulated arm (e.g., extension or retraction), and movement of a machine relative to the silo face (towards and away from) may be automatically controlled to form the negative rake angle. Different implementations contemplate automated control of all or fewer than all of these operations.

A feeding system for feeding animals, in particular cows, includes a feed storage system for keeping feed for the animals in store, and a feed loading device for loading a batch of feed from the feed storage system into a receptacle of an autonomous feeding device in order to teed the animals. The feed loading device is provided with a feed grabber including two grab buckets which are hingeable between an open position and a closed position. The feed grabber includes an actuation device for actuating the grab buckets from the open position to the closed position. The actuation device includes a rotatably drivable winding-up body which is connected to one of the grab buckets and includes a winding circumference, and an arm which is connected between the winding-up body and the other grab bucket. The arm includes a plurality of mutually, hingeably connected arm sections which are made from stainless steel or a material having substantially the same strength and corrosion-resistant properties as stainless steel. The arm sections, in the open position of the grab buckets, extend substantially in line with one another. The arm sections, from the open position of the grab buckets, when the winding-up body is rotatably driven, are wound about the winding circumference of the winding-up body in order to pull the grab buckets towards the closed position. The arm sections are configured in such a way that the winding circumference of the winding-up body can be covered substantially in its entirety by at most 8 arm sections, preferably at most 6 arm sections, in particular 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 arm sections.

A process for reliable detection of the top edge of the heading face of a pile of product(s) for animal feeding, from an extraction vehicle. It consists of positioning the vehicle in front of the heading face, then continuously controlling the upward motion of the extraction arm so as to vertically scan the plane of the heading face with the axes of measurement of at least two measurement sensors, then, as soon as at least any information is acquired indicating the absence of target, ordering the motion of the arm to stop, possibly ordering the detection of presence of an obstacle on the pile of product(s), then ordering the actuation of the extraction tool. Its object is also such a vehicle for implementing the process.

Systems and method for forming a stable silo face in bulk material are disclosed. Particularly, systems and methods for forming a negative rake angle in a silo face of bulk silage are disclosed. Rotation of an articulated arm (e.g., raising and lowering), altering a length of the articulated arm (e.g., extension or retraction), and movement of a machine relative to the silo face (towards and away from) may be automatically controlled to form the negative rake angle. Different implementations contemplate automated control of all or fewer than all of these operations.

The invention provides a mixer feeder (1) comprising a mobile chassis (3), a tub (4) provided on the chassis (3) and at least one auger provided for rotation about a respective vertical axis of rotation. in the tub (4). Seen in vertical cross-section, the wall (12) of the tub (4) extends at least substantially upright from the bottom (6) of the tub (4). The wall (12) of the tub (4) curves inward at the upper side of the tub (4), sloping up and then extending downward.

A material handling device for the loosening of forage, in particular silage from a silo. The material handling device is provided with a grab device provided with grab device members of which the edges facing towards each other are provided with cutting elements. The grab device members are movable between a closed position and an opened position, wherein the cutting elements are positioned at an angle with the vertical. This angle is in the range of 25 to 25 degrees, preferably 15 to 15 degrees with the vertical.

A method for autonomously controlling a feed mixing vehicle, a vehicle having an autonomous controller, a computer program for carrying out the method, and a control device. The vehicle has a chassis, working elements for carrying out partial tasks, scanners/sensors for transmitting data, and a computer for controlling all the processes. The scanners/sensors acquire spatial data of the surroundings and generate therefrom a 3D map of the current geometry of the surroundings. The current geometry of the surroundings is placed in relationship with an area that is released to be traveled on by the autonomous vehicle, with the result that the navigability of the travel path of the autonomous vehicle is checked, and in the case of detected non-navigability the travel path is adapted autonomously to the requirements of the situational spatial surroundings and is replaced by an alternative travel path.