Abstract: A steering system and method for a vehicle having steerable front and rear wheels has rear hydraulic steering device that may be coupled to one or more of the rear wheels. A rear valve assembly may hydraulically control the rear hydraulic steering device to steer the rear wheels based upon a rear steering command from a controller. In a manual steering mode, the controller does not determine a rear steering command for the rear valve assembly such that the rear wheels are freely rotatable. In a rear steering assist mode, the controller determines the rear steering command based upon, at least in part, the manual steering input.

Abstract: A crop sensing system for a baler includes a compression system for forming a bale and a feed system for picking up crop from a surface and conveying the crop to the compression system. The crop sensing system includes a sensor arrangement having at least one sensor being coupled to at least one of the compression system or the feed system, wherein the at least one sensor generates a signal corresponding to a crop load on the at least one of the compression system or the feed system. The crop sensing system includes a control unit configured to receive the signal from the sensor arrangement and calculate crop mass data based on at least the signal.

Abstract: A baler having a frame, a feed system coupled to the frame, a baling chamber for receiving crop from the feed system, and a plunger assembly reciprocally compressing the crop. The baling chamber defines an extrusion axis therethrough. The plunger assembly is at least partially positioned within and movable with respect to the baling chamber. The plunger assembly has at least a first plunger motion aligned with the extrusion axis. The baler also includes a feed system cap having at least a first cap motion aligned with the extrusion axis, the first cap motion being synchronized with the first plunger motion. At least one of the plunger assembly and the feed system cap has a second motion that is not aligned with the extrusion axis.

Abstract: A bale information system includes a baling machine configured to process a material into a bale, the baling machine including a sensor configured to measure a release of the bale from the baling machine, a global positioning system receiver in operable communication with the baling machine, and a data storage system operable to receive and store data from the global positioning system receiver.

Abstract: A crop management system is configured to monitor agricultural crop packages produced by a baler. The crop management system includes a sensor operable to generate a first signal in response to a crop package being discharged from the baler. The first signal represents a first location of the crop package on an agricultural field. The crop management system also includes a processor-based subsystem configured to display a virtual map of the agricultural field, receive the first signal, determine the first location of the crop package relative to the virtual map based on the first signal, receive a second signal representing a location of a vehicle collecting the crop package at the first location, receive a third signal representing a second location of the crop package, and determine the second location of the crop package relative to the virtual map based on the third signal.

Abstract: A baler includes a frame and a bale chamber structure that is supported by the frame. The bale chamber structure includes a plurality of walls that cooperate to define a baling chamber that extends along a longitudinal axis. The plurality of walls shape different sides of the bale. At least one of the plurality of walls includes a first segment panel that is moveably attached to the frame and a second segment panel that is arranged in a downstream direction from the first segment panel with respect to the longitudinal axis. The second segment panel is moveably attached to the frame independent of the first segment panel.

Abstract: A baler having a compression system for forming a bale. The baler also has a feed system having a pack mode for accumulating the crop in a pre-compression chamber and a lift mode for conveying the crop to the compression system. The baler also has a sensor arrangement having at least one sensor generating a signal, the at least one sensor being coupled to the feed system. The signal corresponds to a crop load on the feed system. A control unit is configured to receive the signal from the sensor arrangement and initiate the lift mode based on at least the signal.

Abstract: A method for storing information corresponding to a baled crop during a baling process includes providing a harvesting machine including a control unit, a sensor, and a bale tag reader. The method also includes forming the baled crop with a bale tag by the harvesting machine, identifying the baled crop by the control unit with a bale identifier, and sensing a characteristic of the baled crop by the sensor. The method further includes detecting a bale tag identifier associated with the bale tag by the bale tag reader, communicating the characteristic and bale tag identifier to the control unit, corresponding the characteristic, bale tag identifier and bale identifier of the baled crop to one another, and storing the characteristic, bale tag identifier and bale identifier in an electronic storage unit that is in electrical communication with the control unit.

Abstract: An intermittent drive system includes a rotatable output component, a rotating input component with a driving engagement element, a synchronizing ring and a decoupling ring. The synchronizing ring is coupled to the output element to rotate therewith. The synchronizing ring has a driven engagement element configured to selectively engage with the driving engagement element. The synchronizing ring has an alignment feature configured to rotationally align the driving engagement element with the driven engagement element and has a decoupling feature configured to selectively disengage the driving engagement element from the driven engagement element. The decoupling ring is selectively coupled to the input component and has a decoupling feature configured to selectively engage the decoupling feature of the synchronizing ring.

Abstract: A baler including a frame, a compression system coupled to the frame, the compression system at least partially defining a compression chamber, a feed pan at least partially defining a pre-compression chamber, where the pre-compression chamber is in operable communication with the compression chamber, a first driven output shaft rotatable about a first axis of rotation, a second driven output shaft rotatable about a second axis of rotation, a lifting fork movable with respect to the pre-compression chamber and at least partially positionable therein, where rotation of the first driven output shaft, the second driven output shaft, or any combination thereof causes the lifting fork to move with respect to the pre-compression chamber, and where the first driven output shaft is operable independently of the second driven output shaft.

Abstract: A steering system and method are described for a vehicle having steerable front and rear wheels. A rear hydraulic steering device may be coupled to one or more of the rear wheels. A rear valve assembly may hydraulically control the rear hydraulic steering device to steer the rear wheels based upon a rear steering command. In a rear steering assist mode, the rear steering command may be determined based upon a manual steering input received at a steering input device. In an automated steering mode, the rear steering command may be determined based upon a target path of the agricultural vehicle that is determined independently of the manual steering input.

Abstract: A bale drop detection mechanism for use with a baler having a rear aperture. The bale drop detection mechanism including a bale chute coupled to the rear aperture of the baler, where the bale chute includes an upper surface configured to support a bale ejected from the rear aperture thereon. The bale drop detection mechanism also including a bracket coupled to the rear aperture of the baler, a support member extending between and coupled to both the bale chute and the bracket, and a controller in operable communication with the bale chute and configured to detect a bale drop event based at least in part on the level of force being applied to the upper surface of the bale chute.

Abstract: A steering system and method for a vehicle having steerable front and rear wheels has rear hydraulic steering device that may be coupled to one or more of the rear wheels. A rear valve assembly may hydraulically control the rear hydraulic steering device to steer the rear wheels based upon a rear steering command from a controller. In a manual steering mode, the controller does not determine a rear steering command for the rear valve assembly such that the rear wheels are freely rotatable. In a rear steering assist mode, the controller determines the rear steering command based upon, at least in part, the manual steering input.

Abstract: A method is provided for assembling a bale tag and twine assembly to a baled crop during a baling process. The method includes providing the bale tag having a body with a first end and a second end, and a piece of twine having a defined length. The method also includes indicating at a location on the bale tag an identification indicia that corresponds to the bale tag, and orienting the first end of the bale tag relative to the twine such that the first end of the bale tag is to be passed through a twine tensioner during the baling process before the second end. The method further includes coupling the bale tag to the twine before executing the baling process, forming the baled crop during execution of the baling process, and assembling the bale tag and twine assembly to the baled crop.

Abstract: A baler having a compression system for forming a bale includes a plunger that reciprocates within a baling chamber between an extended position and a retracted position. The baler also includes a controller configured to detect and calculate the amount of work exerted by the plunger as it reciprocates within the baling chamber. The controller generally calculates the work exerted by the plunger by determining the force applied to the plunger and the distance the plunger has traveled with respect to the baling chamber.

Abstract: A bale information system includes a baling machine configured to process a material into a bale, the baling machine including a sensor configured to measure a release of the bale from the baling machine, a global positioning system receiver in operable communication with the baling machine, and a data storage system operable to receive and store data from the global positioning system receiver.