Abstract: A baler includes a near-infrared testing system configured to receive near-infrared radiation reflected by plant material in a bale and to analyze the near-infrared radiation and generate evaluation data reflecting one or more properties of the plant material. The near-infrared testing system is calibrated using a calibration sample at a calibration temperature. A temperature sensor measures a sample temperature of a crop sample of the plant material. A computer receives and combines the evaluation data of the plant material and a temperature-difference offset based on the difference in the sample temperature of the crop sample and the calibration temperature to produce overall temperature-compensated evaluation data reflecting one or more overall property values for the bale, and assign the overall temperature-compensated evaluation data to the at least one bale of the plurality of bales.

Abstract: A system includes a tractor comprising a lifting hitch, and an implement comprising an implement frame carried by the lifting hitch. The implement frame has an integrated elongate toolbar carrying at least one row unit. A sensor is configured to sense a position of the at least one row unit relative to the ground. A control system is configured to receive a signal related to the sensed position of the at least one row unit relative to the ground and cause the lifting hitch to raise or lower a portion of the implement frame connected to the lifting hitch relative to the tractor based at least in part on the signal. Control systems and related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A heat shield arrangement (14) for shielding the environment surrounding the junction between two sections (10, 13) of insulated vehicle exhaust from heat emanating from uninsulated end portions of the junction of the exhaust sections. The heat shield (14) is of tubular form and mounted on the insulation surrounding one section (10) of the exhaust and is slidingly movable between a first position (14?) in which the junction between the two sections is exposed to allow access to work on fastening means (15) for holding the two sections together and a second position (14?) in which the shield surrounds the junction and overlaps the ends of the insulation on both sections of the exhaust to insulate the surrounding environment.

Abstract: A bale binding mechanism is configured to wrap twine around a bale. The bale binding mechanism broadly includes a baling needle, a drive shaft, a clutch, and a trip mechanism. A baler chassis presents a baling chamber in which the bale is formed. The baling needle is shiftable relative to the baling chamber to advance twine along an end of the bale. The drive shaft is supported by the chassis to power the needle. The clutch is shiftable between an engaged condition in which the clutch drivingly interconnects the drive shaft and the needle, and a disengaged condition in which the clutch prevents the drive shaft from driving the needle. The trip mechanism includes a trip cam, drive wheel, and a lockout device. The trip cam is shiftable between a trip condition associated with engagement of the clutch and a metering condition associated with disengagement of the clutch. The drive wheel is operable to shift the trip cam when in the metering condition.

Abstract: A method of controlling a tractor/baler combination includes advancing a tractor/baler combination through a swath or windrow of a harvested crop material with a tractor PTO operating at a constant speed to power a drive of a baling chamber of the baler and the baler operating to pick up harvested crop material; assessing the flowrate of the harvested crop material in the baler and the torque of the baling chamber drive; comparing the flowrate with an optimal flowrate and the torque of the baling chamber drive with an optimal baling chamber drive; and, if the assessed flowrate differs from the optimal flowrate or the assessed torque of the baling chamber drive differs from the optimal torque by more than a predetermined amount, changing the speed of advancement of the tractor/baler combination, and changing the flowrate in the baler and the torque of the baling chamber drive.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the distribution of residue material from a spreader tool of an agricultural machine including a sensor, preferably a LIDAR or other scanning transceiver-type sensor mounted or otherwise coupled to the machine and orientated with a sensing region pointing rearwards of the agricultural machine, where operational data indicative of an operational parameter of the spreader tool is obtained and used to control operation of the sensor.

Abstract: A feederhouse assembly (200) for an agricultural harvester (100) includes a feederhouse (202) comprising an inlet end (204) and a body (302) adjacent the inlet end (204). The body (302) defines a crop opening (304) therethrough and a pair of curvilinear cutouts (306) laterally adjacent either side of the crop opening (304). A pair of bearings (308) is secured to the body above the crop opening (304). An agricultural harvester (100) includes a chassis (104), a feederhouse assembly (200) mounted to the chassis (104), a processing system (112) carried by the chassis (104) and structured to receive crop material from the feederhouse (202). Related methods and non-transitory computer-readable storage media are also disclosed.

Abstract: An implement includes an implement frame having an integrated elongate toolbar carrying at least one row unit, at least one wheel coupled to the implement frame and defining an axis of rotation, a sensor configured to sense a position of the at least one row unit relative to the ground, and a control system. The control system is configured to receive a signal related to the sensed position of the at least one row unit relative to the ground and cause a lift system to raise or lower a portion of the implement frame connected to the lift system to rotate the implement frame about the axis of rotation of the at least one wheel based at least in part on the signal. Control systems and related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for dividing crops includes a support shaft (302) configured to be received by a fixed divider (206) of a harvesting header, a rotatable wing divider (300) coupled to the support shaft (302) at a pivot point (314), and a torsional biasing element configured to apply a biasing rotational force to the wing divider (300) relative to the support shaft (302). A harvesting header (200) includes a header frame (202), a first divider assembly, a second divider assembly, and at least one harvesting tool (204). The divider assemblies each include a fixed divider (206), a support shaft (302) carried by the fixed divider, a rotatable wing divider (300) coupled to the support shaft at a pivot point (314), and a torsional biasing element configured to apply a biasing rotational force to the wing divider (300) relative to the support shaft (302).

Abstract: A wear plate assembly for an agricultural harvester including a support element having a number of lateral regions, each lateral region being provided with a plurality of first engagement features, one or more replaceable wear plates provided on one side with a plurality of second engagement features for engagement with the first engagement features, and a plurality of fastenings to secure each replaceable wear plate to the support through the engagement features.

Abstract: A distance sensor is used for automatically detecting whether an outer wheel of a dual-wheel axle is present. The distance sensor is mounted to detect a distance between the sensor and an outer wheel of a dual-wheel axle. A controller compares the distance information with an expected range of distances if the outer wheel is present and determines that the wheel is not present if the measured distance falls outside the expected range. The methods and systems are particularly suitable for mobile machines, such as a combine harvester, having a rollover risk reduction system and/or a stability control system reliant on accurate width data for the machine, and which can be configured to apply different limits for maximum steering angle and/or maximum speed depending on whether the outer wheel is found to be present.

Abstract: A round baler having a baling chamber, a wrapping material reservoir, a feed apparatus having an actuator, the feed apparatus configured to convey a wrapping material from the wrapping material reservoir to the baling chamber, a cutting apparatus moveable between a retracted position allowing free movement of the wrapping material and an advanced position to cut the wrapping material, and a braking apparatus for applying a braking force on a roll of wrapping material installed in the wrapping material reservoir, and an actuator for controlling operation of the feed apparatus and the cutting apparatus. The round baler further comprises a tensioning element connecting the actuator to the braking apparatus to control a down force exerted on the roll of wrapping material and so control the tension in the wrapping material.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling operation of a trailer brake system associated with an agricultural vehicle-trailer combination. Using a driver deceleration demand a pressure level and/or duration for a preliminary pressure peak to be provided in one or more fluid lines of the trailer brake system is determined. A trailer brake signal is generated for controlling the trailer brake system in accordance with the preliminary pressure peak.

Abstract: A control system for an implement hitch of an agricultural vehicle, wherein the hitch is mounted to the vehicle and includes one or more hydraulic cylinders or other actuators operable to raise and lower the hitch between minimum and maximum heights relative to the vehicle and hold the hitch static at one or more heights between the minimum and maximum heights. The control system includes a rocker control device having a first operating position and being movable in a first direction to a first limit position and in a second direction to a second limit position. An electronic control unit (ECU) is connected to the rocker control device and controls operation of the or each of the hydraulic cylinders or actuators and thereby control raising and lowering of the hitch in response to user operation of the rocker control device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a boom for a sprayer vehicle, comprising: a fluid-carrying medium; one or more first nozzles fluidly coupled to the fluid-carrying medium; and plural unmanned aerial vehicles tethered together, the plural unmanned aerial vehicles each comprising plural fans, wherein the one or more first nozzles are arranged to discharge material through one or more fans of the plural fans.

Abstract: A wheel for use with an endless track system includes at least three substantially identical segments. Each of the segments has a support portion, a circumferential flange, and a rim portion. The rim portion is affixed to an outer face of the circumferential flange. The segments are attached to each other to form the wheel. Methods of forming a wheel are also described.

Abstract: A method of operating a tillage implement includes performing a first calibration of the tillage implement based on a curated library, propelling the tillage implement through a field, capturing an image of the field with a camera carried by the tillage implement, comparing information from the captured image with the curated library, identifying residue based on the comparison of the information from the captured image with the curated library, modifying the curated library based on the captured image, and performing a second calibration of the tillage implement based on the modified library. The curated library includes a correlation of observed data with material properties of soil and/or residue, and may initially be based on information from other fields or prior times. The tillage implement has at least one ground-engaging tilling assembly, and propelling the tillage implement through the field causes the tilling assembly to work the soil.

Abstract: A break-away apparatus for a boom arm is positioned at a joint between a main boom and a boom tip to allow the boom tip to assume a neutral position and forward, rearward, and upward positions. A hinge assembly is positioned between the boom tip and main boom. The hinge assembly includes an upper ball joint, a first hinge, and a second hinge. The boom tip is movable relative to the main boom about an axis of the first hinge, about an axis of the second hinge axis, and/or about a pivot defined by the upper ball joint. A first spring assists a return of the boom tip to the neutral position.