Abstract:
A multiple row sugar cane harvester having automatic and independent control of multiple base cutters utilized to severe sugar cane stalks in adjacent rows. Position sensors sense the height of the base cutters relative to the chassis of the sugar cane harvester and feed the signals to a controller for adjusting the height to a preselected level. The base cutters are individually driven by hydraulic motors through individual hydraulic circuits and the operating pressure is sensed and fed to the controller for determining whether a choke condition exists. A load sensor is incorporated between the linkage and the sugar cane harvester chassis for determining whether the base cutters have ground contact to elevate the base cutters.
Abstract:
A control system for a header of an agricultural harvesting machine providing the capability for positioning the reel and the cutter bar, respectively, with a single input, the control system configured and co-operable with the input for recognizing multiple predetermined discrete patterns of operator input, and responsive thereto, positioning a reel and cutter bar at predetermined relative positions, respectively.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for controlling a height of an agricultural equipment component is described in which an average crop height is determined. In one embodiment, the agricultural equipment component is controlled to maintain a predetermined distance from a current top of crop level. If a current top of crop level cannot be determined, a virtual top of crop level is calculated using the average crop height value. The agricultural equipment component is controlled to maintain a predetermined distance from the virtual top of crop level. In another embodiment, the agricultural equipment component is controlled to maintain a predetermined distance from current ground level. If a current ground level cannot be determined, a virtual ground level is calculated using the average crop height value. The agricultural equipment component is controlled to maintain a predetermined distance from said virtual ground level. An ultrasonic sensor is also provided.
Abstract:
A suspension system (32) is provided for use with a crop harvesting header (10) including a frame (14) carrying a structure (22) movable about an endless path to deliver a crop to the header (10). The frame (14) has opposed ends and is pivotably connected to the header (10), each end of the frame being independently movable between a first angle (48) between the frame (14) and the header (10) and a second angle (58) between the frame and the header. A first suspension member (40) and a second suspension member (40) are each connected between the frame (14) and the header (10) to provide a substantially constant force to the frame (14) between the first and second angles.
Abstract:
A system (70 in FIG 2) for controlling the position of an agricultural implement coupled to an agricultural vehicle comprises a control unit (86) connected to a field topography database (76) containing three-dimensional data of the topography of a field, a location signal generation arrangement (74) providing location data of the position of the vehicle and/or the implement in the field, an implement position sensor (e.g., 62) arranged to sense the position of the implement with respect to the ground and to a positioning arrangement (e.g., 68) configured to move the implement in response to position control signals from the control unit (86). The control unit (86) is operable to provide the control signals based upon a combination of actual position data received from the implement position sensor and expected required position change data that are derived from elevation data recalled from the field topography database (76) based upon the location data.
Abstract:
Le procede de commande automatique de la hauteur d'une ecimeuse (12) utilise avec une machine agricole (10) comprend les etapes suivantes: detection de la hauteur de l'ecimeuse au-dessus du sol; selection d'une hauteur desiree de l'ecimeuse au-dessus du sol; determination de toute erreur de difference entre la hauteur selectionnee et la hauteur detectee; determination de la direction de l'erreur de difference, vers le haut ou vers le bas; generation d'une impulsion electrique de correction ayant un cycle de travail en relation directe avec la valeur de l'erreur de difference; envoi de l'impulsion electrique de correction a des moyens de soupape a solenoide pour que ces derniers envoient et/ou eliminent une impulsion de fluide pressurise sur un mecanisme de levage ou d'abaissement de l'ecimeuse; et la repetition des etapes mentionnees ci-dessus de maniere automatique et en continu pour deplacer l'ecimeuse (12) par impulsions intermittentes vers la hauteur selectionnee, de maniere a commander automatiquement la hauteur de l'ecimeuse (12) au-dessus du sol. L'appareil de mise en oeuvre du procede comprend un potentiometre (24) de detection de la hauteur de l'ecimeuse au-dessus du sol, un potentiometre (44) de selection d'une hauteur desiree de l'ecimeuse au-dessus du sol, et un circuit electrique a fonction multiple (80) couple au potentiometre de detection (24) et au potentiometre de selection (44). Le circuit (80) est capable (a) de determiner l'erreur de difference entre la hauteur selectionnee et la hauteur detectee, (b) de determiner la direction de l'erreur de difference, vers le haut ou vers le bas, (c) de generer une impulsion electrique de correction ayant un cycle de travail en relation directe avec la valeur de l'erreur de difference, (d) d'envoyer l'impulsion electrique de correction aux moyens de soupape a solenoide (108) pour que ceux-ci envoient et/ou eliminent une impulsion de fluide pressurise sur le mecanisme pour relever ou abaisser l'ecimeuse (12) et (e) de determiner de maniere repetee l'erreur
Abstract:
A harvesting vehicle includes a header having a cutter bar, a crop transport draper and a reel mounted above the cutter bar to sweep the crop to the draper. The operation of the header is autonomously monitored and controlled to reduce operator loads or to run autonomously by detecting: reel wrapping; differential rates of flow of crop on the header at different locations; where the crop to be cut is at least partly lodged so that stems of the crop are not vertical; the presence of a crop streak of uncut or poorly cut crop behind the cutter bar and/or a band of disturbed soil behind the cutter bar. The detector is arranged to control ground speed, header height, reel height and operation.
Abstract:
An agricultural header includes a header frame and at least one harvesting element carried by the header frame. The header frame includes a rigid portion, a first conformable portion flexibly coupled to the rigid portion by a first resilient material that allows at least about 1.5° of reversible deflection, and a second conformable portion flexibly coupled to the rigid portion by a second resilient material that allows at least about 1.5° of reversible deflection.
Abstract:
A tractor having a mounting assembly and a lift arrangement has a float module and a header on the forward end. The float module having adjustable and calibrated springs on the header which allows the header to float relative to the lift arrangement on the tractor. The float force is ad justed by raising and lowering the lift system in dependence on an angle measurement of the lift position. The angle measurement is provided a detector the raising and lowering of the lift system is accomplished with the aid of a control system responsive to the detector.
Abstract:
A tractor has hydraulically driven wheels at a cab end and castor wheels at an engine end. It can be driven cab forward in a working mode with a header on the forward end. It is rotated to engine forward in the transport position for more stable higher speed travel. There is provided a float module with adjustable and calibrated springs on the header which allows the header to float relative to the lift system on the tractor. The float force is adjusted by raising and lowering the lift system in dependence on an angle measurement of the lift position. The lift system includes a lift cylinder and tilt cylinder controlled to change cutter angle while maintaining a sight line to the cutter bar for the operator.