Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes: a chassis; a threshing and separation system including at least one concave carried by the chassis, the threshing and separation system being configured to thresh and separate a flow of crop material; and a controller carried by the chassis. The controller is configured to: operably couple to a moisture sensor disposed upstream of the threshing and separation system, relative to the flow of crop material; determine a moisture level of crop material headed for the threshing and separation system; and output an adjustment signal to at least one component of the agricultural harvester to adjust performance of the threshing and separation system based at least partially on the determined moisture level.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester is disclosed. The agricultural harvester includes a cutting unit that has a cutting table adjustable in its cutting table length, a reel adjustable to a reel vertical position and reel longitudinal position, an inclined conveyor downstream from the cutting unit, and a driver assistance system. The driver assistance system autonomously determines, using at least one input variable, at least one machine parameter and specifies the machine parameter to the cutting unit. The machine parameter can include one or more of the cutting table length, the reel vertical position, or the reel longitudinal position. In particular, the driver assistance system may determine a harvested material throughput and a vibration coefficient describing the fluctuation in the harvested material throughput in a region lying in front of the threshing system and adapt or modify the cutting table length based on the determined vibration coefficient.

Abstract: A harvester includes: a crop tank that stores a crop harvested by a harvesting device; a weight detection unit that detects a storage weight, which is a value indicating the weight of the crop stored in the crop tank; a maximum weight calculation unit that calculates a maximum weight, which is a value indicating the weight of the crop at the maximum storage amount of the crop tank; a unit harvest weight calculation unit calculates a unit harvest weight that indicates the weight of the crop harvested per unit of harvest-travel distance; and a maximum travel distance calculation unit that calculates a maximum travel distance, which is the maximum distance that can be traveled during traveling harvesting before the amount of the crop stored in the crop tank reaches the maximum storage amount, based on the storage weight, the maximum weight, and the unit harvest weight.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring a throughput of a crop cut from a field. The system may include, and the method may be performed at least in part using, a combine harvester including a feeder box, a main body, a threshing mechanism, and an organic material throughput sensor provided within the feeder box. The system may also include a data management system. The organic material throughput sensor senses organic material throughput data including at least one of a volume of the organic material, and a weight of the organic material, and the data management system outputs an organic material throughput map or other information based on the organic material throughput data. Using the organic material throughput data or the organic material throughput map, a producer or other operator can make a more informed planting or treatment decision for a field.

Abstract: A combine (10) including a cutting wheel for harvesting crop, a separating system (24) for threshing the harvested crop to separate grain from residue, at least one of a yield monitor (115) or a loss monitor (113), a crop cleaning system (26) including a cleaning fan (52), and a controller (310) coupled to the at least one of the yield monitor (115) or the loss monitor (113). The controller (310) controls the crop cleaning system (26), and is configured to determine at least one of a throughput from the yield monitor (115), or a loss from the loss monitor (113), compare the determined throughput or loss to a respective throughput threshold or loss threshold, and control a speed of the cleaning fan (52) based on the throughput or loss comparison.

Abstract: A post-harvest crop management platform is provided for regulating conditions of an agricultural crop being dried and/or stored. The platform utilizes data collected from sensors positioned proximate to, or embedded within, an agricultural crop, and analyzes selected crop characteristics affecting the stored crop in multiple sections thereof. The platform identifies parameters relative to achieving a desired crop characteristic level in the agricultural crop, generates a profile of the selected crop characteristic across the multiple sections of the stored crop, and models an application of a fluid flow pattern to achieve the desired crop characteristic level in each section. The crop storage monitoring and management platform also actuates a multi-stack assembly, configured within the stored crop, to automatically apply the fluid flow pattern in one or more cycles that are adjustable to changing conditions within the stored crop in real time.

Abstract: An on-the-go monitor and control means and method for an agriculture machines includes on-the-go soil sensors that can be used to control tillage and seeding depth. On seeder implements, the sensors provide information that affects uniform plant emergence.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for monitoring yield while harvesting. In one embodiment a mass flow rate sensor measures the mass flow rate of the harvested grain. A weight sensor measures the weight of the harvested grain. The measured mass flow rate is correlated with the weight of the harvested grain. Processing circuitry calculates any error in the measured mass flow rate using the measured weight. The calculated error is used to correct any inaccuracy in the measured mass flow rate.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods are provided for monitoring yield while harvesting grain. Grain released from paddles on the clean grain elevator chain of a harvester contacts a flow sensor which reports the rate of grain flow through the clean grain elevator. In some embodiments a brush is mounted to the chain and disposed to clean the flow sensor surface. In other embodiments a bucket mounted to the clean grain elevator chain releases grain against the flow sensor at a rate dependent on a grain property.

Abstract: A system for measuring crop moisture content in a harvester elevator includes a receiver and processing node and one or more moisture sensing instruments coupled to one or more paddles of the harvested elevator, respectively. The moisture sensing instruments each include a moisture sensor and a transmitter in communication with a receiver and processing node. The moisture sensor is configured to dynamically measure the moisture content of a static harvested crop, relative to the sensor and corresponding paddle, at ascends in the harvester elevator.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine has a measurement device for investigating a crop flow conveyed through the harvesting machine. The measurement device includes at least one optical detection unit disposed at the crop flow for detecting light reflected by the crop and an evaluation unit for evaluating the spectrum of the detected light in order to derive properties of the crop. The evaluation unit is disposed at a position of the harvesting machine that is decoupled from mechanical loading by the crop flow to the greatest extent possible and is connected to the detection unit by way of at least one optical waveguide.

Abstract: A forage harvester is provided with a chopping arrangement and a reworking device downstream from the chopping arrangement. The reworking device having two rolls between which the harvested crop chopped by the chopping mechanism can be passed through and whose spacing and/or compressive force is adjustable by a unit that is actuated by an external force and is connected with a control device. The control device is acted upon by information with regard to the cut length of the chopping arrangement and directs the unit as a function of the cut length.

Abstract: A system for presenting a crop sample to a crop property sensor is in particular suited for a harvesting machine and comprises a bypass line branching off from a crop feeding assembly, a conveyor for feeding the branched-off crop through the bypass line without damaging the crop, and a crop property sensor for sensing one or more properties of the crop in the bypass line. The bypass line is upwardly angled or extends vertical, such that the conveyor elevates the material from the crop guiding channel to the crop property sensor.

Abstract: A discharge arrangement of an agricultural harvesting machine comprises a retaining arrangement, a housing removably mounted onto the retaining arrangement, and a measuring device mounted within the housing. The measuring device is adapted to detect properties of the harvested crop. A cover arrangement is pivotably mounted onto the retaining arrangement to enclose the housing and the measuring device such that the housing and the measuring device are positioned between the cover arrangement and the discharge arrangement.

Abstract: A method of evaluating one or more kernels of an ear of maize using digital imagery includes acquiring a digital image of the one or more kernels of the ear of maize, processing the digital image to estimate at least one physical property of the one or more kernels of the ear of maize from the digital image, and evaluating the at least one kernel of maize using the estimate of the at least one physical property of the at least one kernel of maize.

Abstract: A measuring arrangement is associated with a branch channel of a channel through which crops flow. The measuring arrangement comprises a measuring device for detecting the constituents of a sample of a crop stream in the branch channel, where in the branch channel between an opening and the measuring device, a processing device is arranged for reducing in size or for squeezing the sample.

Abstract: A chopping device and method of using the chopping device in an agricultural harvesting machine to adjust a length of cut, where the length of cut of the chopping device is adjusted depending on a rebound behavior of crop material to be chopped.

Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring device for the measurement of properties of a material to be measured, in particular of the moisture content of agricultural harvested products such as hay, straw, or wilted silage, with a moisture sensor element (22, 49, 54, 62, 65) and at least one further sensor element for the detection of other material properties. In order to improve the measuring device it is proposed according to the invention that the further sensor element (23, 50, 58, 64, 66) is suitable for the measurement of the compression force exerted by the material to be measured on the moisture sensor element (22, 49, 54, 62, 65), or of a force corresponding to this compression force at another measuring point.

Abstract: It is proposed that a sensor ascertain a parameter of the harvested crop and send a signal used for changing the speed of feeding devices for the chopping and/or the speed of the chopping device in order for automatically obtaining a change in the length of the cut of the chopping device.

Abstract: A crop measuring arrangement is arranged on a harvesting vehicle to interact with a material that is to be investigated in order to detect at least one component of the material, and that can be fastened to a vehicle by means of a retaining arrangement, so that the measuring arrangement can be operated in the condition in which it is fastened to the retaining arrangement in order to analyze material handled and/or processed by means of the vehicle. The retaining arrangement for securing the measuring arrangement to the vehicle is constructed so that the measuring arrangement can be easily separated from the retaining arrangement and used to investigate material in a stationary application.

Abstract: A method of determining crop parameters in an agricultural harvester has the steps of determining at least one crop parameter during a working process with a compacting device which is fillable with a crop probe, and using for determining the at least one crop parameter of the crop probe depending on at least one defined compression of the crop probe produced by the compacting device.

Abstract: For controlling a threshing mechanism of a combine harvester parameters of the threshing mechanism are adjusted with respect to a nominal crop throughput determined for corresponding harvesting conditions to an optimal value, the changing automatically and the adjustment includes automatically determining a deviation of an actual crop throughput from the nominal crop throughput, and adjusting at least one threshing mechanism parameter for adaptation to the actual crop throughput; also a combine harvester with the control device for performing the method is proposed.

Abstract: An agricultural machine having at least one crop processing work unit, a plurality of crop transport units operatively assembled as a straw walker step, wherein the crop transport units convey crop streams in opposite directions and are spaced apart defining a crop through-gap, and a cleaning device having a forced-draught fan before the cleaning device, further comprising an exhaust fan located after the cleaning device, wherein the transport units are located between the forced-draught fan and the exhaust fan, wherein an air stream is produced by the forced-draught fan and the exhaust fan and is directed from the forced-draught fan to the exhaust fan, and wherein the air stream improves a cleaning process in the straw walker through-gap of the straw walker step.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring at least one parameter of material and generating multiple frequency signals having frequencies selectable by control signals, combining the multiple frequency signals into a combined frequency signal having multiple frequency components, and applying the combined frequency signal as an excitation signal to a sensing element. The frequency response of the material is determined at each of the multiple frequencies using output signals from the sensing element, and a frequency analysis is performed to determine the parameters of the material. The sensing element may include a capaciflector sensor located non-intrusively along the surface of a conveyor. However, other sensing elements such as capacitive, resistive and inductive elements may be used. The parameters being measured may include mass flow rate and moisture content.

Abstract: Systems and methods for autonomously controlling agricultural machinery such as a grain combine. The operation components of a combine that function to harvest the grain have characteristics that are measured by sensors. For example, the combine speed, the fan speed, and the like can be measured. An important sensor is the grain loss sensor, which may be used to quantify the amount of grain expelled out of the combine. The grain loss sensor utilizes the fluorescence properties of the grain kernels and the plant residue to identify when the expelled plant material contains grain kernels. The sensor data, in combination with historical and current data stored in a database, is used to identify optimum operating conditions that will result in increased crop yield. After the optimum operating conditions are identified, an on-board computer can generate control signals that will adjust the operation of the components identified in the optimum operating conditions.

Abstract: An agricultural combine having a supporting structure that is driven by ground engaging wheels at a harvesting speed by a propulsion assembly. The combine is also provided with a threshing assembly that is supplied harvested crop material by a feederhouse. The feederhouse is provided with a moisture sensor for sensing the moisture of harvested crop material as it passes through the feederhouse. The moisture sensor produces a moisture signal that is directed to an electronic combine controller. The electronic combine controller regulates the harvesting speed of the combine in response to the moisture signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for utilizing NIR spectrography for measuring major constituents of substances in real time includes a monochromator or other sensor having no moving optical parts. At least one of the monochromator and the substance are moving relative to one another. An NIR radiation source irradiates a substance and the reflected or passed-through radiation is transmitted to the monochromator, which isolates and detects narrow portions of the received spectrum. By analyzing the intensities and wavelengths of the received radiation, the presence and amount of major constituents of the substance can be determined.

Abstract: An agricultural combine having a supporting structure that is driven by ground engaging wheels at a harvesting speed by a propulsion assembly. The combine is also provided with a threshing assembly that is driven by a variable torque sensing drive. The variable torque sensing drive is manipulated by pressurized hydraulic fluid. A hydraulic sensor in hydraulic communication with the variable torque sensing drive provides an actual hydraulic pressure signal that is directed to an electronic controller. An operator control in the operator's cab of the combine provides a loss rate signal that is also directed to the electronic controller. The electronic controller converts the loss rate signal into a desired hydraulic pressure signal. The electronic controller regulates the forward speed (harvesting speed) of the combine so that the desired hydraulic pressure signal is equal to the actual pressure signal.

Abstract: An agricultural combine having a supporting structure that is driven by ground engaging wheels at a harvesting speed by a propulsion assembly. The combine is also provided with a threshing assembly that is driven by a variable torque sensing drive. The variable torque sensing drive is manipulated by pressurized hydraulic fluid. A hydraulic sensor in hydraulic communication with the variable torque sensing drive provides an actual hydraulic pressure signal that is directed to an electronic controller. An operator control in the operator's cab of the combine provides a loss rate signal that is also directed to the electronic controller. The electronic controller converts the loss rate signal into a desired hydraulic pressure signal. The electronic controller regulates the forward speed (harvesting speed) of the combine so that the desired hydraulic pressure signal is equal to the actual pressure signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a moisture measuring device and a method for measuring moisture of the crop material in harvesting machines. To improve the moisture measurement, the combination of the moisture measuring device with a sensor state monitoring device ensures that the manual calibration effort is reduced. According to the method disclosed in the present invention, the correction value from the measured moisture value is at least, in part, a function of the working condition of the harvesting machine.

Abstract: A device for moisture measurement in harvesting machines, including removing material to be measured from a stream of crop material, supplying the material to be measured to a measuring chamber, an associated moisture sensor, and returning the measured material to the stream of crop material. One improvement is compulsory cleaning and/or emptying of the measuring chamber and/or of at least one moisture sensor. As a result, fouling and blockages are avoided.

Abstract: A rotating concave grain threshing system has a rotor positioned within a concave. The rotor and concave are each rotatable in different preselected speeds and directions through respective transmissions connected to a power source. Measurements are taken corresponding to a physical property of the crop being harvested and the torque induced on the concave. A signal is generated and is responsive to changes in the measurements and delivered to a controller. The controller will then create a controlling signal corresponding to a difference between the desired physical property and the measured physical property and/or the desired torque and the measured torque being greater than a preselected amount. An actuator receives the controlling signal and changes the speed of the concave in response to the magnitude of the received controlling signal.

Abstract: A device for moisture measurement in harvesting machines, includes means for removing the material to be measured from a stream of crop material, means for supplying the material to be measured to a measuring chamber, an associated moisture sensor, and a means for returning the measured material to the stream of crop material. One improvement is means for compulsory cleaning and/or emptying of the measuring chamber and/or of at least one moisture sensor. As a result, fouling and blockages are avoided.

Abstract: In an agricultural harvester a characteristic of crop material is monitored or measured as the crop material is conveyed through a feed tube by an auger. To obtain a more uniform packing density of the crop material in a sensing region where the measurement is made, a section of the auger flight is removed. An upstream section of flighting pushes the crop material into and through the sensing region and after it has been pushed through the sensing region it is conveyed away from the sensing region by a downstream section of flighting. The velocity of the crop material being pushed through the sensing region is not uniform across the radius of the feed tube and a layer of slowly moving crop material is formed adjacent the wall of the feed tube. A strap-like wiper element is provided in the sensor region to wipe or disperse the slowly moving layer of crop material.

Abstract: The present invention involves an apparatus for counting agricultural products being harvested. An agricultural implement has at least one harvesting element with a moisture detector installed proximate the harvesting element. The moisture detector has a detection range, whereby the moisture detector produces a signal when a moisture-containing product is located within the detection range. A counter is in communication with the moisture detector, which maintains a count of the signals. The moisture detector communicates the signal to the counter to increase the count. The apparatus is used to count a plurality of items being processed by first installing a moisture sensor with the agricultural equipment. Next, the counter is connected to the moisture sensor, with the counter being adapted to respond to the detectable signal from the sensor by incrementing the count. By processing the items by the agricultural equipment, the plurality of items thereby enter and exit the range of detection.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for combining NIR spectography with an implement including a combine or a chopper for measuring major constituents of harvested products in real time includes a monochromator or other sensor having no moving optical parts. The monochromator includes a fixed diffraction grating and a photodiode collector comprised of a plurality of photodiodes. A radiation source irradiates a product sample and the reflected radiation is transmitted to the diffraction grating. By analyzing the intensities and wavelengths of the reflected radiation at the photodiode collector, the presence and amount of major constituents of the harvested product can be determined. The present invention may be used on or with a research combine or chopper along with the conventional instrumentation which measures the weight, moisture, and volume of products harvested in a test plot.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring grain characteristics, including grain test weight, using a container having one or more sensors. The sensors may include moisture, weight, grain flow, density, and level sensors. The container may be attached to a grain harvesting device, such as a combine, for measuring characteristics of grain harvested from test plots. Multiple containers may be employed with a grain diversion device so that sequential test plots may be harvested and measured with little or no interruption. The sensors, grain diversion device, and other equipment may be in signal communication with a signal processor for automated measurement.

Abstract: A microwave grain monitor determines grain density and moisture content without measuring the phase shift of the measurement signal in passing through the grain. A set of grain coefficients is determined and stored in a non-volatile memory. A microwave measurement signal is transmitted through the grain and the ambient temperature is sensed. The grain density and moisture content are determined from the attenuation of the measurement signal in passing through the grain, the sensed temperature and the set of grain coefficients.

Abstract: A microwave grain monitor determines grain density and moisture content without measuring the phase shift of the measurement signal in passing through the grain. A set of grain coefficients is determined and stored in a non-volatile memory. A microwave measurement signal is transmitted through the grain and the ambient temperature is sensed. The grain density and moisture content are determined from the attenuation of the measurement signal in passing through the grain, the sensed temperature and the set of grain coefficients.

Abstract: Ideal function curves are generated for a combine in various operating conditions having acceptable loss rates. These ideal function curves are stored in an onboard computer and compared with actual measured function curves. The actual function curves are derived from sensors measuring grain distribution per linear length of grain falling through the sieve. The computer compares the actual function curve with the ideal function curve for transmitting an adjustment signal to the appropriate controller to drive the actual function curve towards the ideal function curve. Loss sensors are not required because acceptable losses for various conditions are built into the ideal function curves.

Abstract: In a device for and a method of calibrating the measurement of a product stream in agricultural machines, a calibrating unit is arranged after a measuring unit, a definite quantity of a product stream is weighed in the calibrating unit and the weight value is determined in an evaluating electronic unit which compares the weight value with a value determined by the measuring unit and determines a correction factor from the comparison of both values.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for combining NIR spectography with a combine for measuring major constituents of harvested grain in real time includes a monochromator having no moving optical parts. The monochromator includes a fixed diffraction grating and a photodiode collector comprised of a plurality of photodiodes. A radiation source irradiates a grain sample while a bundle of fiber optic strands transmits the reflected radiation to the diffraction grating. By analyzing the intensities and wavelengths of the reflected radiation at the photodiode collector, the presence and amount of major constituents of the harvested grain can be determined. The present invention may be used on a research combine along with the conventional instrumentation which measures the weight, moisture, and volume of grain harvested in a test plot.

Abstract: A monitor for measuring the moisture content of grain comprises an AC signal source for transmitting a measurement signal along a measurement signal path that includes a sensor region in which grain may, or may not, be present, and an analyzer for determining the attenuation of the measurement signal along the path, the analyzer producing an indication of the moisture content of grain in the sensor region that is dependent on the attenuation. A simulator is provided to permit calibration, testing, maintenance and/or demonstration of the monitor without the requirement of grain in the sensor region. The simulator includes a programmable attenuator that is selectively electrically inserted in the measurement signal path and a control circuit for controlling the attenuator so that the measurement signal is attenuated and the analyzer produces an indication of grain moisture content even though no grain is present in the sensor region. The attenuator may be a PIN diode or a programmable capacitor.

Abstract: A device to measure the volume and weight of a harvested grain crop during the harvesting of the grain crop with a weight measurement member including an elevator for moving grain from a lower elevation to a higher elevation with the elevator having a rotatable belt and a set of paddies thereon for moving grain from the lower elevation to the higher elevation with a torque sensor to determine the increase in torque on the shaft as a result of having to raise the kernels of grain from the lower elevation to the higher elevation and an acoustic volume measurement member to obtain information on the depth of the grain that is correlatable to volume of the harvested crop.

Abstract: A combine thresher has a multiple plate impedance cell grain moisture analyzer assembly with two of the plates being outside mounted ground plates to reduce EMI and RFI interference and provide more accurate moisture measurements. The assembly is ex-situ mounted to bypass a part of the grain flowing from the grain floor of the harvester to the grain accumulation bin to measure the moisture thereof and to exhaust same back into the mentioned grain flow. The analyzer has a bin full sensor to activate the bypass only when the analyzer is full for accurate moisture measurement.

Abstract: A harvester with unconventional grain flow for collecting and measuring grain grown on strip test plots. A conventional harvester having a weigh bucket for measuring grain located at a high position is modified by reversing the grain flow of a lateral conveyor and locating the weigh bucket at a low position inside the vertical confines of the harvester. The modified grain path upstream of the weigh bucket reduces the time required to move harvested grain to the weigh bucket and thus the waiting time required between harvesting of successive strip plot tests.

Abstract: A grain measuring and weighing device including an entrance chamber, a constant volume chamber, and a weigh chamber. A plurality of gates controllably move between open and closed positions to allow a known volume of grain to flow between chambers. The weighing and measuring system includes a means for compensating and eliminating forces external to the grain harvester, such as the various forces due to sloping surfaces and rough terrain over which the grain harvester moves, that would otherwise adversely affect the grain yield data. In one embodiment, an accelerometer is use to measure such external forces. In another embodiment, a reference weight is used to measure the external forces.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for on-the-go measuring of the amount and quality of grain being harvested including a first light source for projecting a first light image onto a pile of grain on a conveyor in a harvesting machine to cream a three-dimensional light image on the pile of grain on the conveyor and then converting the light image into coordinates for comparison to reference coordinates to determine the volume of the pile of grain on the conveyor belt; and an apparatus for determination of the amount of moisture in the pile of grain by projecting a second light image of a first wavelength onto the pile of grain, with the wavelength of the light of a frequency responsive to the amount of moisture in the pile of grain, and measuring the amount of reflectance of the light image of the first wavelength; and projecting a third light image of a second wavelength on the pile of grain, with the second wavelength of light in a region where reflectance is not responsive to the amount of moisture in the pile of gra

Abstract: The crop testing and evaluation system includes a plurality of measuring and testing devices that measure the weight, moisture content, and test weight of a crop. Other measuring devices that test the crop for characteristics such as protein content, sugar content, oil content and color may also be included. Mounting accessories are included in the system for attaching the measuring devices to the crop gathering compartment of a harvesting vehicle. As the crop is harvested and fed to the compartment, periodic readings of the measuring devices are taken by a microprocessor and supplied to a computer for analysis and evaluation. Preferably, the microprocessor and computer are positioned in the cab of the harvesting vehicle within reach of the harvest operator. The present invention also provides an efficient method of evaluating research products, such as plant hybrids and varieties.

Abstract: The crop testing and evaluation system includes a plurality of measuring and testing devices that measure the weight, moisture content, and test weight of a crop. Other measuring devices that test the crop for characteristics such as protein content, sugar content, oil content and color may also be included. Mounting accessories are included in the system for attaching the measuring devices to the crop gathering compartment of a harvesting vehicle. As the crop is harvested and fed to the compartment, periodic readings of the measuring devices are taken by a microprocessor and supplied to a computer for analysis and evaluation. Preferably, the microprocessor and computer are positioned in the cab of the harvesting vehicle within reach of the harvest operator.