Abstract: A steering system for a towable implement includes a steering sensor, an implement steering controller, a steering control valve, a steering cylinder, and an implement steering mechanism that steers the implement. The steering sensor measures, directly or indirectly, the angular position of the steerable wheels of the implement. The implement steering controller processes feedback from the steering sensor and with a desired steering angle, outputs a steering control signal that is input to the steering control valve. The steering control valve controls the flow of hydraulic fluid to the steering cylinder, which, in turn, powers the implement steering mechanism to turn the wheels of the implement. The steering system may be operated in various control modes, such as, a transportation steering mode, a corner and 180 turn steering mode, a swath tracking steering mode, crab steering mode, and a manual steering mode, which allows manual control of the steering system.

Abstract: A baling machine and method for forming a bale is disclosed. A sensor is positioned in the bailing chamber and is positioned to sense an area proximate the perimeter of the bale to determine if material is present, thereby determining if the bale is properly wrapped or not. When the bale is not properly wrapped, material is present in the area proximate the perimeter in which the sensor is active; causing the sensor to send a signal indicating that the bale is not properly wrapped.

Abstract: A device for detecting the absolute position of a cylinder rod is provided. A cylinder assembly has a cylinder body with a gland member positioned thereof. The gland member has a rod opening extending therethrough. An adjustable sensor is mounted on the gland member, the adjustable sensor being operable to read one or more detectable features of the cylinder rod. The adjustable sensor can be incrementally adjusted relative to the cylinder rod to optimize the gap provided between the adjustable sensor and the cylinder rod, allowing the sensor to detect the motion and absolute position of the cylinder rod. The detectable features may be three tracks of data including first timing data and position data.

Abstract: A control system controls a pair of vehicles in coordination to traverse a respective pair of trajectories. The control system is configured to specify a plurality of successive waypoints, a safe stopping interval and an intermediate interval greater than the safe stopping interval, and exchange waypoints between vehicles. The system controls each vehicle in coordination with the other, senses a rate of exchange of waypoint data between the vehicles, and determines the safe stopping interval. The control system updates positions with additional waypoints as the respective vehicles pass by waypoints of the forecasted trajectory, determines the length of the forecasted trajectory remaining and compares it with the intermediate interval and the safe stopping interval. The system generates a warning signal if distance is less than the intermediate interval, and if the distance is less than the safe stopping interval, stops within the safe stopping interval.

Abstract: A draft load control system for an agricultural tractor towing a trailed, ground-engaging implement that monitors implement height using sensors located on the tractor or sensors coupled to an on-board control communications system and adjusts the implement position in relation to the ground based on draft load, implement height, and tractor wheel-slip to maintain a more accurate, consistent draft load on the tractor while maintaining the implement engaged with the ground and preventing the tractor-implement ground speed from being reduced to zero.

Abstract: A PTO shaft with a pilot formed on one end to carry or support the weight of a mobile work implement while the PTO assembly is being rotated for spline alignment.

Abstract: A single farm machine can form or invert crop windrows by using only the raking tines of a conventional rotary rake machine. For raking, the tines simply discharge the crop to one side of the machine. The machine is changed from a raking mode into an inverting mode by adjusting the locations on the circle of revolution of the tines at which the tines engage and disengage an existing windrow. The windrow is inverted when the tines engage the windrow, lift it, and impart motion to the crop as it is being discharged that has a vector that is in the same direction as the movement of the machine. This causes the crop to move faster than the machine itself and inverts the windrow by pushing the disengaging crop over the crop that was previously discharged.

Abstract: A method of measuring the quantity of wrap remaining on a round baler supply roll uses the existing wrap measuring apparatus of a round baler. An on-board microprocessor is programmed to calculate the minimum amount of wrap required for each bale, subtract the amount of wrap used to wrap a bale from the amount of wrap on the supply roll before wrapping the bale, and signal the operator if the amount on the roll is insufficient to wrap a bale. The microprocessor can also be programmed to signal the operator if the amount of wrap on the roll is insufficient to wrap a number of bales specified by the operator.

Abstract: These and other objects are achieved by providing a bale wrap or tie monitor that uses a sensor array to sense the presence or absence of twine, net or film after initial operation of the wrapping mechanism and prior to ejection of the bale onto the field. Either, or both, visual and audible alarms can be initiated when default conditions are met.

Abstract: A drawbar assembly is used to connect a farm vehicle, such as a tractor, to a towed implement. A sleeve is supplied for secure attachment to the frame of the farm vehicle, and dimensioned interiorly thereof to embrace the drawbar and allow sliding, reciprocating, co-axial movement of the drawbar in the sleeve. At least one hydraulic cylinder comprising a casing housing, a hydraulically actuable piston, and rod assembly therein with the rod extensible beyond the casing, is provided. One of the rod and casing is configured for connection to the drawbar, and the other of the rod and casing for connection to the farm vehicle. A hydraulic system is connected to the hydraulic cylinder to effect adjustment of the rod relative to the casing and thereby (1) position the drawbar axially of the sleeve, and (2) to pressurize the cylinder in accordance with the damping qualities desired for the load carried by the towed implement.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically swinging a center pivot, towed implement from one side to the other side of a farm machine. The apparatus includes a Global Positioning System for locating the farm machine and sensors and remote controls for various functions of the machine to check and change the status of each machine function. An on-board computer uses the sensors and the GPS and a previously installed program to automatically determine what portion of the field has been worked and to direct the farm machine to swing the implement from one side to the other as required.