Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a header height of a combine harvester that includes a header, a ground speed sensor, a ground height sensor configured to detect a ground contour directly beneath the header, a forward looking sensor (FLS) configured to detect a ground contour forward of the header, and a controller. The controller receives signals from the ground speed sensor, the ground height sensor and the FLS, and calculates a header height output as a function of (i) an output of the ground speed sensor, which represents a ground speed of the combine, (ii) an output of the ground height sensor, and (iii) an output of the FLS. The controller is further configured to weight the outputs of the ground height sensor and the FLS as a function of the speed of the combine harvester in calculating the header height output.

Abstract: A method of differentially steering a hydraulically driven vehicle includes measuring left and right swash plate angles of pumps which drive left and right wheels of the vehicle and if the angles are different from one another and the larger swash plate angle is equal to or exceeds a threshold value then reducing the larger swash plate angle. If the larger swash plate angle is between the threshold value and a lower limit, or below the lower limit the swash plate angle is increased. Control systems and vehicles include swash plate angle sensors and actuators in communication with a controller which effects the steering control method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a header height of a combine harvester that includes a header, a ground speed sensor, a ground height sensor configured to detect a ground contour directly beneath the header, a forward looking sensor (FLS) configured to detect a ground contour forward of the header, and a controller. The controller receives signals from the ground speed sensor, the ground height sensor and the FLS, and calculates a header height output as a function of (i) an output of the ground speed sensor, which represents a ground speed of the combine, (ii) an output of the ground height sensor, and (iii) an output of the FLS. The controller is further configured to weight the outputs of the ground height sensor and the FLS as a function of the speed of the combine harvester in calculating the header height output.

Abstract: A method of autonomously controlling the ground speed of a harvester, such as a self-propelled or towed wind rower, uses both the engine speed and the header speed as control parameters to increase or decrease the ground speed as necessary to maintain efficient harvester operation over varying terrain and crop conditions. A control system includes a controller which receives signals from sensors indicative of engine speed, header speed and harvester ground speed and uses actuators to control the header speed, engine speed and harvester ground speed. An operator interface permits an operator to engage or disengage the autonomous mode of control system operation, as well as to directly control the harvester.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a crop merger system for a harvester. The system includes a frame, first and second rollers mounted to the frame, and a belt disposed over the first and second rollers. The system includes a motor operably coupled to and configured to rotate the second roller. The system includes a controller configured to electronically receive as input a desired speed of the belt. The system includes a sensor configured to detect a measured characteristic associated with the crop merger system, and electronically transmit the measured characteristic to the controller. The controller is configured to determine a measured speed of the belt based on the measured characteristic, and if the desired speed and the measured speed are unequal, the controller is configured to regulate the motor to adjust a speed of the belt to be substantially equal to the desired speed.

Abstract: Methods for autonomous operation of harvesters use header drive pump displacement, header speed, harvester ground speed, engine load and engine speed to control and maximize harvester operation under varying conditions such as crop type, crop condition and terrain. Adaptive learning processes within the methods relate the parameters of pump displacement with header speed and engine speed during harvester operation to permit the control system to establish combinations of related control parameters which are used by a control system to control harvester operation.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a steering control system useful for providing stable control during high-speed operation of harvesters, such as self-propelled windrowers. The steering control system utilizes sensors for detecting a ground drive wheel speed or a swash plate position of hydraulic pumps for determining an angle of curvature used as input for controlling a steering cylinder associated with a first caster.

Abstract: Methods for autonomous operation of harvesters use header drive pump displacement, header speed, harvester ground speed, engine load and engine speed to control and maximize harvester operation under varying conditions such as crop type, crop condition and terrain. Adaptive learning processes within the methods relate the parameters of pump displacement with header speed and engine speed during harvester operation to permit the control system to establish combinations of related control parameters which are used by a control system to control harvester operation.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a steering control system useful for providing stable control during high-speed operation of harvesters, such as self-propelled windrowers. The steering control system utilizes a sensor for detecting and regulating a position of a single steering cylinder associated with a first caster, a damper being free of sensing and providing passive damping to the second caster.

Abstract: A method of differentially steering a hydraulically driven vehicle includes measuring left and right swash plate angles of pumps which drive left and right wheels of the vehicle and if the angles are different from one another and the larger swash plate angle is equal to or exceeds a threshold value then reducing the larger swash plate angle. If the larger swash plate angle is between the threshold value and a lower limit, or below the lower limit the swash plate angle is increased. Control systems and vehicles include swash plate angle sensors and actuators in communication with a controller which effects the steering control method.

Abstract: A method of autonomously controlling the ground speed of a harvester, such as a self-propelled or towed wind rower, uses both the engine speed and the header speed as control parameters to increase or decrease the ground speed as necessary to maintain efficient harvester operation over varying terrain and crop conditions. A control system includes a controller which receives signals from sensors indicative of engine speed, header speed and harvester ground speed and uses actuators to control the header speed, engine speed and harvester ground speed. An operator interface permits an operator to engage or disengage the autonomous mode of control system operation, as well as to directly control the harvester.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a crop merger system for a harvester. The system includes a frame, first and second rollers mounted to the frame, and a belt disposed over the first and second rollers. The system includes a motor operably coupled to and configured to rotate the second roller. The system includes a controller configured to electronically receive as input a desired speed of the belt. The system includes a sensor configured to detect a measured characteristic associated with the crop merger system, and electronically transmit the measured characteristic to the controller. The controller is configured to determine a measured speed of the belt based on the measured characteristic, and if the desired speed and the measured speed are unequal, the controller is configured to regulate the motor to adjust a speed of the belt to be substantially equal to the desired speed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a steering control system useful for providing stable control during high-speed operation of harvesters, such as self-propelled windrowers. The steering control system utilizes sensors for detecting a ground drive wheel speed or a swash plate position of hydraulic pumps for determining an angle of curvature used as input for controlling a steering cylinder associated with a first caster.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a braking system useful for providing stable braking of harvesters, such as self-propelled windrowers. The braking system utilizes respective service brakes associated with or integrated into a front drive system of the harvester, each of the service brakes configured to slow down or stop rotation of the respective front wheels. A controller/module is configured to receive inputs and feedback parameters to actuate components of the harvester to slow down or stop the harvester.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a steering control system useful for providing stable control during high-speed operation of harvesters, such as self-propelled windrowers. The steering control system utilizes a sensor for detecting and regulating a position of a single steering cylinder associated with a first caster, a damper being free of sensing and providing passive damping to the second caster.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle including a chassis and a header carried by the chassis and including a cutter mechanism. The header is adjustable in a vertical direction. The agricultural vehicle also includes a header actuator connected to the header and configured to adjust the header in the vertical direction, and a controller coupled to the header actuator. The controller is configured for receiving an input command for controlling an operation of the header actuator to achieve a lifting height, operating the header actuator in conformance with the input command, and terminating the operating of the header actuator.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a ride height adjustment system useful for self-adjusting casters on suspension systems of harvesters, such as self-propelled windrowers. The suspension system utilizes sensors and hydraulic actuators operably linked to each caster, the hydraulic actuators responding to a detected ride height of the harvester to adjust the position of the casters to achieve the preferred ride height.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a crop merger system for a harvester. The system includes a frame, first and second rollers mounted to the frame, and a belt disposed over the first and second rollers. The system includes a motor operably coupled to and configured to rotate the second roller. The system includes a controller configured to electronically receive as input a desired speed of the belt. The system includes a sensor configured to detect a measured characteristic associated with the crop merger system, and electronically transmit the measured characteristic to the controller. The controller is configured to determine a measured speed of the belt based on the measured characteristic, and if the desired speed and the measured speed are unequal, the controller is configured to regulate the motor to adjust a speed of the belt to be substantially equal to the desired speed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a ride height adjustment system useful for self-adjusting casters on suspension systems of harvesters, such as self-propelled windrowers. The suspension system utilizes sensors and hydraulic actuators operably linked to each caster, the hydraulic actuators responding to a detected ride height of the harvester to adjust the position of the casters to achieve the preferred ride height.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle including a chassis and a header carried by the chassis and including a cutter mechanism. The header is adjustable in a vertical direction. The agricultural vehicle also includes a header actuator connected to the header and configured to adjust the header in the vertical direction, and a controller coupled to the header actuator. The controller is configured for receiving an input command for controlling an operation of the header actuator to achieve a lifting height, operating the header actuator in conformance with the input command, and terminating the operating of the header actuator.