Abstract: An agricultural working machine embodying a combine harvester for processing crop includes an intake conveyor mechanism for picking up the crop, a moisture content sensor arrangement for measuring a moisture content of the picked-up crop and generating a crop moisture signal based on the measured moisture content. A throughput sensor arrangement, preferably a layer thickness sensor arrangement, determines a throughput quantity of the picked-up crop. The crop moisture content signal is corrected on a basis of the throughput quantity that is determined.

Abstract: A control system and method for adjusting a rotational speed of a header on an agricultural vehicle based on ground speed of the agricultural vehicle. The header may include a plurality of cutters rotatably actuated with a header actuator. The control system may have a processor that compares a ground speed of the agricultural vehicle with a threshold ground speed. If the ground speed of the agricultural vehicle is below the threshold ground speed, the processor may command the header actuator to rotate the cutters at a constant predetermined rotational speed. If the ground speed of the agricultural vehicle is above the threshold ground speed, the processor may command the header actuator to increase rotational speed of the cutters in proportion to the ground speed of the agricultural vehicle.

Abstract: A sowing heart control apparatus for controlling a sowing heart with a sowing heart monitoring apparatus having an evaluation unit for determining the occupancy of sowing holes of a rotating seed disk with a seed in operation. The evaluation unit delivers an actual value of the occupancy of one or more sowing holes. The sowing heart control apparatus, depending on a deviation of the actual occupancy value from a predetermined setpoint of the occupancy of one or more sowing holes, controlling actuating elements which influence the occupancy. The invention also relates to a sowing heart and a single seed drill.

Abstract: A delay period timing system for a seeding implement with a feed control. A distribution network conveys products to the furrow openers, and a feeding mechanism controls flow of products into the distribution network. A flow sensor downstream from the feeding mechanism detects when products are flowing at a sensing location, and a timer measures a delay period between the time the feeding mechanism starts or stops flow and when the flow sensor starts or stops detecting flow. The delay period is adjusted to account for the location of the flow sensor. A method of determining the delay period includes determining the length of the distribution network and determining the speed of flow of the products. The system can be used on seeding implement with or without sectional control.

Abstract: A swather rake attachment assembly that quick connects to a front of a swather and includes two rake arms that each include lateral holding arm pivot connections to a base frame where the lateral arms are each pivotally coupled to arched reinforcement members by a torsion assembly that is coupled to a parabolic curved tool bar that includes the parabolic curved tool bar and arched reinforcement members, and includes a Z-bar coupling of the two rake arms together that control the height of the arm rake assemblies.

Abstract: The stick removal mechanism for nut harvesting includes a frame having opposing side members and sprockets mounted on the side members. A roller chain is mounted on the sprockets on each side of the frame. A plurality of cross members having fingers extending therefrom is attached to and extends between the roller chains for travel therewith. A plurality of cross members and their chains define an endless conveyor belt. An adjustable agitator mechanism is installed upon each of the side members, which adjusts corresponding agitator sprockets to lift and agitate the respective roller chains. The stick removal mechanism is installed over the open top of a collector receptacle, e.g., a cart, so that debris is carried atop the conveyor and dropped behind the cart while nuts fall through the passages between the fingers and into the receptacle.

Abstract: A timing apparatus for sickle knives having adjacent knife ends, respectively, having an endless elongate element encircling and movable about spaced apart support elements such that first and second portions of the elongate element span a space between the support elements, and connector elements connecting the knife ends to the first and second portions of the elongate element, respectively, such that movement of the elongate element in a first direction about the support elements will move the knives in timed relation in first opposite cutting directions, and movement of the elongate element in a second direction opposite the first direction will move the knives in timed relation in second opposite cutting directions. The apparatus can be connected between separately drive knives for timing their motions, or for using one of the knives for timingly driving another of the knives.

Abstract: A device includes a housing configured with a working element and a motor configured for urging motion of the working element. The device further includes a power control module. The power control module is configurable for being in electrical connection with at least one of the motor, a first power source configuration and a second power source configuration. The first power source configuration is configurable for being electrically connected to a battery assembly having a DC power output. The second power source configuration is configurable for being electrically connected to a power inverter, the power inverter configured for receiving an AC power and further configured for outputting a DC power to the second power source configuration. The power control module includes an automatic power selection configuration for automatically selecting the second power source configuration when the second power source configuration receives DC power from the power inverter.

Abstract: Various planting machines and planting methods are described. A planting method may include filling a seed pool with first-type seed, metering the first-type seed from the seed pool with a metering member, and then evacuating the first-type seed from the seed pool. The method may further include filling the seed pool with second-type seed, metering the second-type seed with the metering member, evacuating the second-type seed from the seed pool, and then refilling the seed pool with the first-type seed. First-type and second-type seed may be evacuated to separate temporary storage chambers, and the seed pool may be filled from the temporary storage chambers, as well as from bulk storage containers. A seed valve of a planting machine may include temporary seed storage chambers for different seed types. The seed valve may fill and evacuate a seed pool through rotation of various valve members and selective application of a vacuum.

Abstract: A non-row sensitive forage harvester header utilizes a single rotary transfer member to convey severed crop material from the forwardly positioned rotary cutting members to the feed rolls of the forage harvester. A fixed guide plate dislodges severed crop from the right cutting member to transfer the crop material to the left cutting member to convey the crop further rearwardly to the rotary transfer member. Additional fixed guide plates establish a flow path for the severed crop material and facilitate the movement of the severed crop from the left cutting member to the rotary transfer member and then to the feed rolls. A drive mechanism is provided to power the rotation of the cutting members and the rotary transfer member with a cutting disk on each cutting member being driven faster than the multiple crop engaging members also carried on the cutting members above the cutting disk.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment, an agricultural vehicle may include first and second harvesting devices connected to the agricultural vehicle. The agricultural vehicle may include a sensor which detects whether the agricultural vehicle is traveling in an operational or non-operational direction. The agricultural vehicle may include a lift controller in communication with the sensor and the first and second harvesting devices. The lift controller may automatically reposition the first and second harvesting devices into non-operating positions when the lift controller determines an intention to move the agricultural vehicle in a non-operational direction.

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 single-grain seeder including a chassis that supports at least one seeding element including a dispensing housing, at least one opening disk for opening a furrow in the ground, and at least one depth control wheel, the dispensing housing delivering seeds one by one via a rotary dosing element configured to turn about a rotation axis, each seed being ejected from the rotary dosing element at an ejection point extending in a lower portion of the rotary dosing element. The ejection point is disposed in an external diameter of the opening disk, when viewed along the rotation axis of the rotary dosing element.

Abstract: An agricultural implement is provided that includes a number of row units. The row units include one or more seed meters for receiving, singulating, and dispensing seed to the ground such that preferred spacing of subsequent seed is attained. Seed delivery systems are included to aid in transporting the seed from the seed meter to the ground in a controlled manner to mitigate skips and to aid in controlling the spacing of the seeds, which can be based upon the ground speed of the implement as it moves through the field. The seed delivery systems can control the transport of the seed to a furrow in the field such that the seed can experience zero or near zero relative velocity so that the seed will have little to no movement once positioned in the furrow.

Abstract: A paired row furrow opener can include a seed boot body, a fertilizer passageway, a seed passageway, at least one soil deflecting edge, and at least one row soil deflecting surface. The seed boot body can extend along a longitudinal axis between a forward end and a rearward end. The fertilizer passageway can extend through the seed boot body between an outlet and an inlet elevated from the outlet. The seed passageway can extend through the seed boot body between an outlet and an inlet. The at least one soil deflecting edge can be integral with the seed boot body. The at least one row soil deflecting surface can extend aft from the at least one soil deflecting edge along the longitudinal axis and can face upward.

Abstract: A cutter apparatus comprising a frame having a mounting member connectable to a piece of prime mover equipment; a cutter assembly connected to the frame, the cutter assembly comprising a support member having a first end; a drive shaft having a first end journaled to the first end of the support member; and a plurality of discrete cutter members stacked on the drive shaft so as to be engaged with an adjacent one of the cutter members, each of the cutter members having at least one cutting edge; and a drive assembly connected to the drive shaft in a way that activation of the drive assembly causes the drive shaft to rotate and thereby rotate the cutter members. The frame may have a base and an extension arm pivotally connected to the base. The support member may be pivotally connected to the extension arm.

Abstract: A method and system for planting one of a plurality of seed types, hybrids and/or varieties is provided. A planter is provided with a plurality of row units. The row units include metering systems, which can include a drum meter capable of metering multiple types of seed at the single drum. The metering system including the drum is configured such that the seed meter will plant different seed types or varieties. The operation the drum meter will provide for the planting of a particular seed variety. The invention provides for on-the-go changing of a seed being planted by the operation of the drum seed meter at each of the row units and provides for almost infinite variation among the row units for planting particular seed varieties or not planting at all.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically opening a seed packet and dispensing the contents of the same for planting is disclosed.

Abstract: A planter is provided with onboard seed treatment for treating seeds on the go during row-crop planting of an agricultural field. The seed treatment system of the planter allows for selective planting of specific zones of a field with treated seed, which may include planting different zones of the field with seeds having different treatments. The planter may store untreated seed in bulk and include a seed treatment system that selectively and precisely treat the untreated seeds during treatment events by way of an injection or spray nozzle system that applies liquid treatment to the seeds traveling along a tightly defined travel path, such as within pockets of a belt that carries the seeds through a seed tube.

Abstract: A spreader for a harvesting machine includes a pair of counter-rotating spreader units each having an impeller and a fan supported on a common shaft. A plenum routes at least part of the airflow from a first fan to merge with chaff exiting the opposite impeller and at least a part of the airflow from the opposite fan to merge with chaff exiting the impeller on the machine side of the first fan. In one embodiment all airflow from a fan is ducted to an impeller on the opposite side, while a second embodiment commingles airflow from both fans in a plenum from which portions of the mixed airflows is directed to the chaff exiting each impeller exit. In a third, embodiment an established airflow receives chaff from the impeller on the side on which that airflow is generated.