Abstract: A tailings conveyance including a housing having a front plate, a back plate, and a wall, and is adapted to recycle tailings through a cleaning system of a combine using at least one impeller. The wall of the housing describes an arc near the impeller paddles over a segment of a circle described by the circumference of the impeller. The wall further continues on a tangent away from the circle at a point of tangency. A sensor is positioned proximate to the point of tangency, and senses whether a space between the front plate and the back plate directly adjacent to the sensor is obscured by tailings as the impeller rotates. A controller or control system connected to the sensor calculates an amount or percentage of time the space between the front plate and the back plate directly adjacent to the sensor is obscured by tailings as the impeller rotates.

Abstract: A tailings conveyance including a housing having a front plate, a back plate, and a wall, and is adapted to recycle tailings through a cleaning system of a combine using at least one impeller. The wall of the housing describes an arc near the impeller paddles over a segment of a circle described by the circumference of the impeller. The wall further continues on a tangent away from the circle at a point of tangency. A sensor is positioned proximate to the point of tangency, and senses whether a space between the front plate and the back plate directly adjacent to the sensor is obscured by tailings as the impeller rotates. A controller or control system connected to the sensor calculates an amount or percentage of time the space between the front plate and the back plate directly adjacent to the sensor is obscured by tailings as the impeller rotates.

Abstract: A travel speed control system for a work vehicle including a control device configured to control travel speed of a work vehicle operable in a first travel mode and in a second travel mode. The work vehicle is movable between a first travel direction and an opposed second travel direction in each of the first travel mode and the second travel mode. The first travel mode is configured to control acceleration of the work vehicle relative to an amount of force or movement of the control device. The second travel mode is configured to control speed of the work vehicle relative to an amount of force or movement of the control device.

Abstract: An off-road work vehicle has a steer-by-wire steering system having a device for determining the angular displacement of a steering wheel. The device has a cam configured to rotate about an axis at an identical angular speed as the steering wheel, a first sensor proximal to a facing outer surface of the cam and being configured to determine a distance between the first sensor and the facing outer surface of the cam, a second sensor proximal to a facing outer surface of the cam and being configured to determine a distance between the second sensor and the facing outer surface of the cam, and a processor operably connected with the first and second sensors and configured to determine an angular position of the steering wheel and a direction of rotation of the steering wheel based upon data generated by the first and/or the second sensor.

Abstract: A farm implement towed or pushed by a vehicle includes at least one electrically actuated device mounted for operation and a high capacitance capacitor connected in circuit with the device and with a source of electricity on the vehicle. Electric power is supplied from the vehicle to the implement at a nominal rate to charge the capacitor and/or operate the device. The capacitor is selectively discharged to either supplement the electric power supplied by the vehicle to the device or to completely power the device such that the device is provided with electric power for operation at a peak rate exceeding the nominal rate electric power is supplied from the vehicle to the capacitor and/or the device.

Abstract: A system and method for calibrating a header flotation system of an agricultural vehicle that can be employed while the vehicle is in motion, including when traversing a field, which does not rely on, or require calibration of, height and/or pressure sensors.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for monitoring the performance of control algorithms, providing a safeing subsystem for a vehicle, particularly an agricultural windrower, for determining when a controlled system such as the propulsion system is no longer tracking a reference input signal sufficiently well. An appropriate action can then be executed, such as outputting a fault signal and/or shutting down the controlled system. An exponentially decaying integrator can be used to monitor the tracking errors.

Abstract: A farm implement towed or pushed by a vehicle includes at least one electrically actuated device mounted for operation and a high capacitance capacitor connected in circuit with the device and with a source of electricity on the vehicle. Electric power is supplied from the vehicle to the implement at a nominal rate to charge the capacitor and/or operate the device. The capacitor is selectively discharged to either supplement the electric power supplied by the vehicle to the device or to completely power the device such that the device is provided with electric power for operation at a peak rate exceeding the nominal rate electric power is supplied from the vehicle to the capacitor and/or the device.

Abstract: The apparatus and method of the invention vary the sensitivity slope of the FNR control lever of an agricultural windrower, such that speed commands outputted through a first range of movements of the FNR lever are slower and increase less rapidly than commands outputted through a second range of movements greater than the first range, the first range corresponding to movements in closer proximity to the neutral position of the FNR lever. The different show is achieved by using different slopes for transfer function signals for the first and the second ranges of positions of the FNR lever.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling the operation of a header lift and flotation system for a plant cutting machine, which provides dual modes of operation, including a first mode allowing operator settable and controllable header height with an upward floatation or up-float capability, and a second ground contact mode having a full (up and down float) capability. The system is automatically operable for switching between the two modes responsive to predetermined input commands, and can automatically calibrate for changes in the header weight so as to provide consistent float function and feel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for varying the speed of a reel versus ground speed of an agricultural windrower, wherein a programmable control module in connection with a signal operated device operable for controlling operation of the reel, is programmed to operate in an automatic mode to control the reel speed as a percentage of the ground speed, while preventing the reel speed from falling below a minimum value.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for monitoring the performance of control algorithms, and inappropriate operator actions, and for providing failsafe deceleration for a vehicle, particularly an agricultural windrower, wherein the propulsion driveline of the vehicle is controllably and actively decelerated. Inappropriate operator actions can include, but are not limited to, attempted engagement of the park brake when operating in a high speed range. Control algorithm fault conditions can include, for instance, input commands changing at a rate beyond a predetermined threshold, and mismatch between operator control devices such as a FNR lever and a neutral switch.

Abstract: A system for calibrating a header flotation system of an agricultural vehicle having a header is provided that includes a control circuit configured to monitor the height of the header and to calculate an upforce that will maintain a desired downforce of the header against the ground. This calculation is based at least upon the position of the header during flotation.

Abstract: A hydrostatic system and method of operation thereof, wherein at least one of a fluid motor and a pump of the system has a displacement which is variable for controlling a speed of operation of the motor, the pump being driven by an engine, and a controller configured for monitoring the speed of operation of the motor and an operating characteristic of the engine and automatically controlling the displacement responsive thereto, wherein if the operating characteristic is indicative of engine performance above a predetermined threshold, the controller will control the displacement for maintaining the speed of operation of the motor at about a predetermined value, and, if the operating characteristic is indicative of engine performance below the threshold, the controller will hold the displacement at a constant value. As a result, the controller can prevent the system from further decreasing the engine performance.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method providing a park brake for a propulsion system of an agricultural windrower having a FNR lever assembly including a FNR lever movable in relation to a neutral position in first and second directions, and a sensor for sensing positions of the FNR lever as the lever is moved and outputting signals representative thereof, the sensor being configured such that the signals outputted thereby are to have signal values within a predetermined range of values and/or which will change within a predetermined rate of change, a programmable control module in operative control of a park brake and programmed and operable for monitoring the signals and comparing the values of the signals to the predetermined range, and if the value of any of the signals is outside of the predetermined range, then automatically engaging the park brake.

Abstract: A non-contact neutral sensing apparatus with directional feedback in a vehicle directional control system for an agricultural or construction vehicle.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method providing neutral safeing for a propulsion system of an agricultural windrower having a FNR lever assembly including a FNR lever movable in relation to a neutral position in first and second directions, and a sensor for sensing positions of the FNR lever as the lever is moved and outputting signals representative thereof, the sensor being configured such that the signals outputted thereby are to have signal values within a predetermined range of values and/or which will change within a predetermined rate of change, a programmable control module in operative control of a park brake and programmed and operable for monitoring the signals and comparing the values of the signals to the predetermined range, and if the value of any of the signals is outside of the predetermined range, then automatically engaging the park brake.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a proportional solenoid valve used in the propulsion system of a windrower, wherein a programmable control module in connection with a valve and a sensor is programmed as part of an automatic calibration routine for directing test control signals to the valve for causing a predetermined displacement of the hydraulic cylinder, the test control signals having values which vary based on the actual displacement of the hydraulic cylinder as compared with a predetermined value of displacement, and operating the hydraulic cylinder using the test control signal that causes the predetermined displacement of the element. The predetermined displacements correspond to the crack points, or the electrical signal levels at which two ports of interest are just beginning to open to one another from a closed position. Of particular interest are the crack points from the supply pressure port to each of the work ports and from the tank port to each of the work ports.

Abstract: A hydrostatic system and method of operation thereof, wherein at least one of a fluid motor and a pump of the system has a displacement which is variable for controlling a speed of operation of the motor, the pump being driven by an engine, and a controller configured for monitoring the speed of operation of the motor and an operating characteristic of the engine and automatically controlling the displacement responsive thereto, wherein if the operating characteristic is indicative of engine performance above a predetermined threshold, the controller will control the displacement for maintaining the speed of operation of the motor at about a predetermined value, and, if the operating characteristic is indicative of engine performance below the threshold, the controller will hold the displacement at a constant value. As a result, the controller can prevent the system from further decreasing the engine performance.

Abstract: A system and method for calibrating a header flotation system of an agricultural vehicle that can be employed while the vehicle is in motion, including when traversing a field, which does not rely on, or require calibration of, height and/or pressure sensors.