Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for use with mergers are disclosed. A disclosed method for processing a material on a ground surface includes detecting, via one or more sensors, an object of interest associated with the material when a merger is forming a windrow on the ground surface. The method also includes a step for facilitating removal of the object of interest from the material in response to the detection.

Abstract: A crop merging machine includes a trailer frame, a drawbar assembly coupled to an axle, and a header assembly including a frame and a wheel. The merging machine further includes a pick-up assembly coupled to the header frame and a cross-conveyor assembly coupled to the header frame adjacent to the pick-up assembly. The pick-up and cross-conveyor assemblies are configured to cooperate to lift crop materials off the field surface and move the crop materials laterally to discharge onto the field surface to form a windrow. The merging machine includes a suspension assembly disposed between the trailer frame and header assembly, the suspension assembly being coupled to the header assembly and trailer frame and configured to allow the header assembly to pivot, relative to the trailer frame, about a first axis of rotation and to pivot about a second, distinct axis of rotation to follow a contour of the field surface.

Abstract: An agricultural machine for harvesting forage including a frame supporting at least one device for picking up plants lying on the ground and at least one device for moving the plants that have been picked up. The machine includes a device for guiding the plants which is situated at least partially above and at a short distance from the pickup device and which is supported by arms which extend rearward above the moving device and whose rear ends are articulated relative to the frame by means of substantially horizontal axes situated, during work, above the rear portion of the moving device and about which they can pivot through a certain angle.

Abstract: A crop merging machine includes a trailer frame, a drawbar assembly coupled to an axle, and a header assembly including a frame and a wheel. The merging machine further includes a pick-up assembly coupled to the header frame and a cross-conveyor assembly coupled to the header frame adjacent to the pick-up assembly. The pick-up and cross-conveyor assemblies are configured to cooperate to lift crop materials off the field surface and move the crop materials laterally to discharge onto the field surface to form a windrow. The merging machine includes a suspension assembly disposed between the trailer frame and header assembly, the suspension assembly being coupled to the header assembly and trailer frame and configured to allow the header assembly to pivot, relative to the trailer frame, about a first axis of rotation and to pivot about a second, distinct axis of rotation to follow a contour of the field surface.

Abstract: A control arrangement is configured to remotely control operation of a windrow merger pulled by a tow vehicle. The windrow merger includes a plurality of functional systems or assemblies configured to selectively collect and discharge crop material, and that can be adjusted to alter the operating characteristics or parameters of the windrow merger. The control arrangement includes a controller, a housing, and a harness configured to communicate control signals from the controller to the number of functional assemblies. The control arrangement further includes a manifold assembly configured to the control signals from the controller to respective control valves operable to control operation of the number of functional assemblies. Thereby, the controller allows the operator to regulate operation and activation of each of the number of functional assemblies from the operator's cab of the tow vehicle.