Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure is a multi-material needle assembly for a baler that has a core formed from a first material and a first side formed of a second material and coupled to the core. The first side is positioned at least partially along a wear zone of the core.

Abstract: A method of preparing a feed ration for an animal includes determining an initial nutritive value of a forage material, and then macerating the forage material with a mechanical macerator. An actual amount of maceration of the forage material achieved by the mechanical macerator is then determined with a macerator sensor. The initial nutritive value may then be corrected to define a corrected nutritive value that accounts for the change in digestibility of the forage material caused by maceration. A formulation for the feed ration may then be defined or determined based on the corrected nutritive value of the forage material.

Abstract: A method of preparing a feed ration for an animal includes storing a cut crop material in an accumulation having an oxygen barrier. The cut crop material is fermented within the accumulation to form a silage material. A nutritive value of the silage material is determined with a nutrition sensor. A desired amount of maceration of the silage material is determined based on the determined nutritive value of the silage material. The silage material is then macerated with a mechanical macerator to achieve the desired amount of maceration. The macerated silage material is then combined with other feed materials to define the feed ration, and may then be fed to the animal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for estimating remaining life in an agricultural baler comprising a reciprocating plunger for compressing gathered agricultural material into bales. A first sensor generates signals corresponding to force applied to the reciprocating plunger and any baling components configured to at least partially carry forces applied to the plunger. Based on input signals from at least the first sensor, forces associated with a load are recorded and a life state is estimated for the reciprocating plunger and/or at least one associated baler component. An output signal is then generated corresponding to the one or more estimated life states. In an embodiment, an input signal from a second sensor indicates completion of a bale, wherein an amount of life consumed from the plunger and/or baling components is determined in association with the bale, based at least in part on operating conditions of the baled material.

Abstract: A baler implement includes a lower passage wall defining a lower boundary of a pre-compression passageway. The lower passage wall includes a forward portion and an access panel. A pivotable connection interconnects the forward portion and the access panel at a lower and forward transverse edge of the access panel such that a rearward and upper transverse edge of the access panel moves vertically to provide access into the pre-compression passageway. Access is obtained from the rear of the baler implement, between the rearward transverse edge of the access panel and a bottom wall of the compression chamber, without the access panel hanging down from the compression chamber and obscuring access into the pre-compression passageway.

Abstract: A baler including a frame having a first end, and a second end opposite the first end. The baler also having a compression chamber, where the compression chamber defines a central axis extending longitudinally therethrough, a plunger assembly at least partially positioned and movable within the compression chamber, and a panel removably coupled to the frame, and where the panel at least partially defines the compression chamber.

Abstract: A baler includes a housing forming a baling chamber. The baling chamber has an inlet that defines an inlet width perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the baler. A pre-cutter is disposed forward of the inlet along the central longitudinal axis and includes a cutter width perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis. The cutter width is substantially less than the inlet width. A crop distributor is disposed between the pre-cutter and the inlet and conveys the crop material from the pre-cutter to the inlet. A pick-up head is disposed forward of the pre-cutter and lifts the crop material from the ground and conveys it to the pre-cutter.

Abstract: Systems and method for forming a stable silo face in bulk material are disclosed. Particularly, systems and methods for forming a negative rake angle in a silo face of bulk silage are disclosed. Rotation of an articulated arm (e.g., raising and lowering), altering a length of the articulated arm (e.g., extension or retraction), and movement of a machine relative to the silo face (towards and away from) may be automatically controlled to form the negative rake angle. Different implementations contemplate automated control of all or fewer than all of these operations.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for operating a rear gate of a baler implement includes a hydraulic cylinder having a housing that defines an interior, and a piston that is moveably disposed within the interior of the housing. The housing includes a first fluid port and a second fluid port, each disposed in fluid communication with a first fluid volume of the hydraulic cylinder. A flow rate control valve is moveable between a first position for directing fluid to or from the first fluid port at a first flow rate, and a second position for directing fluid to or from the second fluid port at a second flow rate. The second flow rate is different than the first flow rate.

Abstract: A header positioning assembly for adjusting a header relative to a chassis includes a lift mechanism configured to couple the header to the chassis, at least one lift actuator configured to apply a force to the lift mechanism to adjust and maintain an orientation of the lift mechanism relative to the chassis, and an adjustment mechanism coupled to the at least one lift actuator or to the lift mechanism. The adjustment mechanism is positionable in at least two orientations and configured so that when the adjustment mechanism is in the at least two orientations, and without uncoupling the adjustment mechanism from the at least one lift actuator or the lift mechanism to which the adjustment mechanism is coupled, the adjustment mechanism changes one or more of a location and a direction of the force applied to the lift mechanism by the at least one lift actuator.

Abstract: A compactor includes a frame supporting a first roller assembly and a second roller assembly. At least one of the first roller assembly and the second roller assembly is moveable relative to the frame in a motion that includes an upward vertical component and a downward vertical component. An actuator is coupled to at least one of the first and second roller assemblies and is operable to repeatedly move at least one of the roller assemblies relative to the frame in both the upward vertical component and the downward vertical component to oscillate the roller assemblies relative to each other.

Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a chassis, a crop-cutting member coupled to the chassis; and a crop-conditioning member coupled to the chassis and positioned rearward of the crop-cutting member. The crop-conditioning member includes a first macerator assembly and a second macerator assembly. The first macerator assembly includes a first roll configured to rotate about a first rotational axis, a second roll configured to rotate about a second rotational axis, and a first endless member surrounding and engaged with the first roll and the second roll. The second macerator assembly is spaced apart from the first macerator assembly; and a maceration zone is defined between the first macerator assembly and the second macerator assembly. The endless member rotates to macerate crop disposed between the first macerator assembly and the second macerator assembly.

Abstract: A control system for an agricultural work vehicle is provided, the control system includes at least one controller, at least one control input device configured to send control signals to the at least one controller, and a header positioning assembly configured to interchangeably couple a plurality of headers to a chassis of a traction unit. The header positioning assembly is moveable between a plurality of orientations with each of the plurality of orientations providing a unique mechanical advantage. The at least one controller is configured to output a plurality of control commands corresponding to the control signals generated by the at least one control input device, and the control commands are configured to effect movement of the header positioning assembly between the plurality of orientations. An agricultural work vehicle is provided and includes the control system.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine having a multiple stage compression system includes first and second compression systems. The first compression mechanism partially compresses the crop material in a compression chamber. The second compression system having first and second compartments each having at least one open end and positioned rearward of the compression chamber. The second compression system has a first position in which the first compartment is aligned with the compression chamber and the second compartment is operatively positioned with a second compression mechanism. The second compression system has a second position in which the second compartment is aligned with the compression chamber and the first compartment is operatively positioned with a second compression mechanism. The second compression system includes a binding system operatively associated with the second compression mechanism. At least one of the first and second compartments rotate between the first and second positions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a configuration of a bale chute of a baler and, particularly, a square baler are disclosed. In some implementations, the baler includes a linkage and an actuator that is operable to move the bale chute between an extended position and a retracted position and to lock the bale chute in the retracted position. For example, the bale chute may be retracted into a retracted position when the baler is determined not to be producing bales, when a bale is not protruding from the baler, and when the baler is being transported.

Abstract: A method of preparing includes storing cut crop material in an accumulation having an oxygen barrier. The cut crop material ferments within the accumulation to form a silage material. After the fermentation of the silage material, the silage material is mechanically macerated with a macerator, and then fed to ruminant animals.

Abstract: A system for controlling the speed of harvested crop as it is discharged from a crop accumulator onto a field comprising a discharge mechanism for imparting a desired rearward travel speed to the harvested crop as it is being discharged from the crop accumulator and a speed measurement device for measuring forward travel speed of the crop accumulator. A processor is in communication with the discharge mechanism and the speed measurement device and is operable to adjust the discharge mechanism for imparting the desired rearward travel speed or the forward travel speed of the crop accumulator, to discharge harvested crop with a rearward travel speed that is substantially equal to the forward travel speed such that the harvested crop has a substantially net zero speed as it contacts the ground.

Abstract: A method of harvesting a crop material includes gathering the crop material with a harvesting implement as the harvesting implement moves along an initial path through a field. A location and a value of a characteristic of the gathered crop material is sensed at a plurality of intervals. A set of estimated values of the characteristic throughout the field is generated based on the sensed location and characteristic of the crop material at each of interval. A value of the characteristic of the crop material ahead of the harvesting implement is predicted as the harvesting implement moves along a harvest path, based on the set of estimated values of the characteristic of the crop material throughout the field. A function of the harvesting implement may be controlled based on the predicted value of the characteristic ahead of the pick-up.

Abstract: A bale wrap mechanism for use with a roll of wrap material, the bale wrap mechanism including a frame including a wrap chute formed from one or more perimeter walls, where the wrap chute defines a wrap axis extending longitudinally therethrough, and where the one or more perimeter walls at least partially define a passage therebetween. The bale wrap mechanism also includes a wrap arm coupled to the frame, the wrap arm having a mounting point movable with respect to the frame, and a shaft coupled to the mounting point and configured to support the roll of wrap material thereon, where the shaft is configured to travel along a wrap path during a wrapping process, where the wrap path surrounds the passageway, and where the wrap path is substantially rectangular in shape.

Abstract: A baler including a frame, a feed system coupled to the frame, a baling chamber, a plunger at least partially positioned within and reciprocally movable with respect to the baling chamber, a connecting rod coupled to the plunger, where the connecting rod defines a fluid volume therein, a sensor in fluid communication with and configured to send signals indicating the fluid pressure within the fluid volume of the connecting rod, and a controller in operable communication with the sensor and configured to determine the magnitude of a force being applied to the plunger at least partially based on a signal received from the sensor.