Abstract: A method of operating a cleaning process on a filter in a vehicle air intake includes passing air through the filter from an upstream side to a downstream side, and providing an exhaust duct having an inlet end adjacent the upstream side of the filter and an outlet end adjacent a cooling fan or other air-extraction device of the vehicle arranged to draw air through the exhaust duct from the inlet end to the outlet end. In a periodic cleaning subroutine, the rotational speed of the fan is increased from a first speed to a second speed, while a pulse of pressurized fluid is applied to a downstream side of the filter. The exhaust duct carries away material dislodged from the upstream side of the filter by the applied pulse, and the rotational speed of the fan is reduced to its original level.

Abstract: An apparatus having an accumulator fluidly coupled to a cylinder having a moveable rod and a pressure relief valve, the cylinder configured to produce an increase in resistance to retraction of the cylinder by re-routing fluid flow to the accumulator through the pressure relief valve after the rod has reached a defined retraction distance.

Abstract: A tractor transmission including a range gearbox having an input shaft driven from a prime mover through a main clutch, an output shaft, an auxiliary drive shaft driven from the prime mover independently of the input shaft, and a torque fill drive system operative between the auxiliary drive shaft and the range gearbox output shaft including a torque fill clutch operative to transmit torque from the auxiliary drive shaft to the output shaft of the range gearbox when the torque fill clutch is engaged, so that when drive to the input shaft is interrupted to change gear, the torque fill clutch is engaged to transfer drive from the auxiliary drive shaft to the output shaft and maintain momentum of the vehicle. The system may transmit torque to the output shaft through a lay shaft of the range gearbox or through a ground speed PTO drive.

Abstract: A distance sensor is used for automatically determining the size of a wheel on a mobile machine. The distance sensor is mounted to detect distance information relating to a distance between the sensor and an outer circumferential surface of the wheel. The distance information is received by a controller configured to determine the radius of the wheel based at least in part on the distance information. The controller may compare the measured radius with data for a range of standard wheel sizes and determine which standard wheel size is fitted. The measured wheel radius and/or the determined standard wheel size can used as an input for a control system on the machine which requires wheel size data, such as an axle height adjustment system.

Abstract: A boom for a sprayer vehicle includes a fluid-carrying medium; at least one nozzle fluidly coupled to the fluid-carrying medium; and at least one unmanned aerial vehicle tethered to the fluid-carrying medium. The at least one unmanned aerial vehicle includes a plurality of fans, and the nozzle is arranged to discharge material through a fan. Related methods and sprayer vehicles are also disclosed.

Abstract: A chassis-height adjustment system for selectively raising and lowering a chassis relative to a ground surface includes a plurality of support assemblies supporting a chassis on respective ground-engaging elements. Each support assembly has a height adjustment actuator. Each height position sensor senses an adjustment position one of the height adjustment actuators and generates a height signal. Each of the support assemblies may be mounted to the chassis by a track-width adjustment mechanism having a track-width adjustment actuator. The height adjustment system is controlled in a manner to synchronize each height adjustment actuator with the other actuators. Adjustment of one or more height adjustment actuators is slowed or stopped in the event that other actuators need to catch up. The track-width adjustment actuators may shift the position of the associated ground-engaging element laterally relative to the chassis to keep the ground-engaging elements from sliding laterally as the chassis height changes.

Abstract: A boom height control system for an agricultural crop sprayer includes a spray boom and an actuator arranged to adjust a position of at least a portion of the spray boom in response to a position adjustment command. A speed sensor is provided to measure a forward speed of the sprayer and generate a speed value. A position sensor is provided to measure a current position of the spray boom portion and generate a current position value. A controller is in communication with the speed sensor, the position sensor and the actuator. The controller is configured to generate the position adjustment command based upon a target position value, a current position value and a speed value.

Abstract: A ladder system includes a rail, a ladder bracket supported by and configured to slide along the first rail and the second rail, a ladder coupled to the ladder bracket and configured to rotate with respect to the ladder bracket between a lowered position and a storage position, and a bumper coupled to the ladder and configured to apply a force to a bumper stop when the ladder is in the lowered position to keep the ladder bracket from sliding along the rail. An agricultural vehicle includes a chassis supported by a plurality of wheels, and a ladder system carried by the chassis. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a chassis, ground-engaging elements configured to support the chassis, support assemblies supporting the chassis on the ground-engaging elements, adjustable axles configured to change a lateral distance from the chassis to each of the support assemblies, and a controller configured to move the chassis laterally along the axles without changing a track width between ground-engaging elements on opposing sides of the chassis. Disclosed methods may be used to remove and install application systems on the vehicle.

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 and a temperature alteration mechanism adjusts the sample temperature of the crop sample so that the sample temperature matches the calibration temperature of the calibration sample before the near-infrared testing system receives the near-infrared radiation reflected by the plant material. A computer receives and combine the evaluation data of the plant material to produce overall evaluation data reflecting one or more overall properties for the at least one bale of the plurality of bales, and assign the overall evaluation data to the bale.

Abstract: An adjustment apparatus for a forage harvester including a shear bar which is adjustably mounted on a housing which supports a chopper drum mounted for rotation about an axis and having a plurality of circumferentially spaced knife supports holding adjustably secured chopper knifes. The chopper knives act with the shear bar to chop incoming crop. The adjustment apparatus includes a lateral element, at least one location element and at least one radially inwardly directed guide surface, which follows a desired outer path of an unworn chopper knife.

Abstract: A baler twine tension measurement assembly including a displacement detector and elements defining a first twine path. The first twine path extends between a first location and a second location which is angularly displaceable with respect to the first location. The displacement detector operates to generate a signal indicative of the angular displacement of the second location with respect to the first location.

Abstract: A chopper drum assembly for a forage harvester including a chopper drum housing, a shear bar, a shear bar holder and a wear plate assembly. The chopper drum housing includes a first part and a wear plate assembly support surface. The shear bar holder is pivotally connected at a first end to the first part of the chopper drum housing and fixedly connected to the shear bar at a second end. A first end of the wear plate assembly is pivotally connected to the second end of the shear bar holder adjacent the shear bar, and a second end of the wear plate assembly is supported by the wear plate assembly support surface wherein, the wear plate support surface is arranged to be inclined to the horizontal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a skid plate comprising an upper surface and an opposing ground engaging surface, the ground engaging surface comprising one or more optical windows flush or extending beyond a plane of the ground engaging surface, each of the optical windows comprising an optically transparent material.

Abstract: An agricultural apparatus including an agricultural vehicle and a number of work units suitable for cutting standing crop, including a front work unit and two lateral work units located behind and to the sides of the front work unit, each of the work units deposit cut crop as a swath. Each of the lateral work units include a conveyor to deposit cut crop. A plurality of sensors determine the speed of the agricultural apparatus and the speed of operation of each of the conveyors. A control unit receives inputs from the sensors, compares the inputs to a predetermined set of values for a desired vehicle speed and a speed of operation of the conveyors, and as indicated by the comparison, adjusts the speed of operation of at least one conveyor.

Abstract: A baler pickup includes crop strippers looped around a reel. A pickup frame has upper and lower mounting stubs, wherein each of the upper mounting stubs has a notch located centrally in a forward end of the upper mounting stub. A rear end section of an upper leg of each stripper is engaged with a respective upper mounting stub and a rear end section of a lower leg is engaged with a respective lower mounting stub. A distal end of each upper leg has an outer plate separated from an inner plate so as to form a gap. The upper leg has an alignment tab such that when the leg is received on the stub, the tab engages with the notch in the stub. A gap-facing surface of the inner plate has a detent, the upper mounting stub comprises a keyhole opening formed therein rearward of the notch.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes an electromagnetic detecting and ranging module for detecting a location of an object relative to the agricultural harvester and a camera for capturing images of an area within a field of view of the electromagnetic detecting and ranging module. One or more computing devices receive first data from the electromagnetic detecting and ranging module, the first data indicating the location of the object relative to the agricultural harvester, receive image data from the camera and use the image data to determine whether the object is a receiving vehicle. If the object is a receiving vehicle, the one or more computing devices use the first data and the second data to generate graphic data defining a graphical representation illustrating the relative positions of the unload conveyor and the receiving vehicle. An electronic device including a graphical user interface presents the graphical representation on the graphical user interface.

Abstract: An adjustment apparatus for a forage harvester having a shear bar adjustably mounted on a housing. A chopper drum is supported from the housing and mounted for rotation about an axis and further provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced knife supports to which at least one chopper knife can be adjustably secured. In use the chopper knives cooperate with the shear bar to chop incoming crop. The adjustment apparatus includes a lateral element, at least one location element and at least one radially inwardly directed guide surface. The adjustment apparatus also includes at least one shear bar alignment surface on one or more of the location elements.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling operation of a trailer brake system associated with an agricultural vehicle-trailer combination. A coupling force between the vehicle and the trailer is determined and used to control operation of the trailer brake system in dependence thereon. A primary control strategy is used in dependence on the determined coupling force being within a coupling force range; and one or more secondary control strategies are used in dependence on the determined coupling force being outside of the coupling force range.

Abstract: A system includes an agricultural harvester with an electromagnetic detecting and ranging module and a camera for capturing images of an area within a field of view of the electromagnetic detecting and ranging module. One or more computing devices detect the presence of an object using data from the electromagnetic detecting and ranging module, use image data from the camera to determine whether the object is a receiving vehicle and, if the object is a receiving vehicle, generate automated navigation data to automatically control operation of at least one of the agricultural harvester and the receiving vehicle to align an unload conveyor of the agricultural harvester with a grain bin of the receiving vehicle.