Abstract: A combine side-shaking control system that includes a sieve for separating crop material from other material, located in a plane having an X dimension and a Y dimension and configured to move in a fore-aft direction in the X dimension, in a side-to-side direction in the Y dimension and in an up-down direction in a Z dimension. The system also includes a side-shaking assembly configured to move the sieve in the side-to-side direction in the Y dimension. The fixed arm is attached to the sieve and configured to move with the sieve in (i) the fore-aft direction in the X dimension, (ii) the side-to-side direction in the Y dimension and (iii) the up-down direction in the Z dimension. The side-shaking coupling portion comprises a moving portion configured to move in a diagonal direction having a fore-aft component in the X dimension and an up-down component in the Z dimension.

Abstract: A concave for a harvester combine and methods of use are provided, such as a concave for a combine harvester, the concave comprising a first longitudinal member comprising a plurality of first longitudinal member wire guide grooves substantially at the same height position relative to a bottom of the first longitudinal member; a second longitudinal member comprising a plurality of second longitudinal member wire guide grooves substantially at the same height position relative to a bottom of the second longitudinal member; a first transverse member and a second transverse member substantially parallel to one another affixed to the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member; and a plurality of module members affixed to the first and second transverse members.

Abstract: A chopper assembly for harvesting equipment including a knife bank movable between a first position where knife elements of the knife bank are fully inserted into a passageway for crop residue and a second position where knife elements of the knife bank are fully retracted from the passageway. A body has a slot or profile, the body secured to the knife bank and at least one knife element, the body and the knife element configured to move relative to the knife bank. A resilient device operably connects the slot or profile and the knife bank, the resilient device preventing movement of the knife element away from the first position and toward the second position until the knife element is subjected to a predetermined force. Upon removal of the predetermined force, the resilient device urges the knife element to move toward the first position.

Abstract: A harvesting system and method providing a row insensitive plant cutting and gathering capability, suitable for harvesting tall, stalky plants such as sweet sorghum, cane, and the like, in high volume, which also billet cuts the harvested plants. Multiple plants are cut simultaneously on a continuous basis at any locations across a header of the system, and the cut plants are gathered into a continuous overlapping flow having a vertical extent or thickness of several stalks or canes and their associated foliage. The flow is then vertically compacted into a mat of reduced thickness while being conveyed into a billet cutter, which cuts the stalks or canes into billets of a desired length and discharges the billets to a desired location, all while the harvester is moving through a field harvesting. The system can be incorporated into a conventional sugarcane harvester in place of conventional base cutters and row dividers.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to weighing a bale formed by a round baler. One or more load cells, but not including load cells at each support of the baler, are used to obtain a measurement of the baler containing the bale and a measurement of the baler empty. Factors related to the slope of the surface on which the baler is located, the size of the bale, and the shape of the bale are used to adjust the measured weight of the bale.

Abstract: A windshield wiper control system includes a movable element configured to move in a first direction and an opposing second direction and one or more actuation devices configured to cause the movable element to move in the first direction. The windshield wiper control system also includes a rotatable cam configured to cause the movable element to move in the opposing second direction when the rotatable cam contacts a stationary surface as the rotatable cam rotates about a cam axis and a wiper mechanism configured to move in the first and second directions and pivot in an arc motion responsive to the rotation of the rotatable cam. The wiper mechanism is further configured to cause the one or more windshield wipers to move across a surface of a windshield in a more linear motion than the arc motion of the wiper mechanism.

Abstract: One agricultural system includes a hitch assembly configured to couple an agricultural vehicle with an agricultural implement. The agricultural system also includes a sensor coupled to the hitch assembly and configured to provide a signal indicative of a force applied to the hitch assembly by the agricultural vehicle and/or the agricultural implement. The agricultural system includes control circuitry configured to receive the signal from the sensor, to select a parameter associated with operation of the agricultural vehicle and/or the agricultural implement, based on the signal, to determine if performance of the agricultural vehicle and/or the agricultural implement will be improved by adjusting the parameter, and to control the parameter if performance of the agricultural vehicle and/or the agricultural implement will be improved.

Abstract: A harvester including, a spreader system configured to distribute an agricultural material onto a field, wherein the spreader system is configured to receive the agricultural material from a chopper, wherein the spreader system comprises a first panel or vane positioned on a first lateral side of the spreader system, and a second panel or vane positioned on a second lateral side of the spreader system, opposite the first lateral side, and wherein the spreader system is configured to detect a first force applied to the first panel or vane and a second force applied to the second panel or vane, and to adjust a position of the spreader system with respect to the chopper based on the first force, the second force, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A quick disconnect coupler is provided that is particularly suited for use as a case drain coupler in an agricultural work vehicle. The coupler includes a male component lockingly received within a body of a female component in a coupled state of the coupler. The female component includes an external sleeve that is linearly slidable along a slide surface of the body to engage and release the male component. A cover is engaged on the female component with a first end fixed on the body and an opposite second end fixed to the sleeve. The cover is linearly expandable with movement of the sleeve and protects the slide surface from dust or other contaminates.

Abstract: A method of controlling a conveyance rate of grain of an unloader system, including providing a grain holding device and an unloader in communication with the grain holding device, the unloader having an inlet for receiving grain from the grain holding device and an outlet for discharging grain. An apparatus within the grain holding device is operable for controllably feeding grain within the grain holding device to the unloader. The method includes monitoring a parameter associated with a power source of the apparatus, and comparing the parameter of the power source to a maximum predetermined threshold value. The method includes automatically controlling the conveyance rate of grain of the apparatus to the unloader.

Abstract: A combine side-shaking control system includes a sieve for separating crop material from other materials and configured to move in a fore-aft direction. At least one side-shaking assembly includes a mounting device attached to a combine chassis, a lower plate configured to rotate about a lower plate axis and an upper plate configured to (i) have an upper plate rotational motion and rotate responsive to the rotation of the lower plate and (ii) have an upper plate substantially linear motion in a substantially linear direction. A fixed arm is rotatably coupled to the upper plate and attached to the sieve. An actuation device is configured to rotate the lower plate about the lower plate axis. Responsive to the rotation of the upper plate, the sieve is controlled to move diagonal to the fore-aft direction in the substantially linear direction of the upper plate substantially linear motion.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for assembly of a planetary gear drive, wherein the gear drive includes a ring gear, a sun gear, and a plurality of planet gears engaged with the ring gear and sun gear. The method includes mounting the planet gears within a carrier, with the planet gears freely rotatable relative to the carrier. A gear alignment tool is inserted through a bore in a front face of the carrier and is used to index the planet gears into an aligned rotational position for proper subsequent engagement with the ring gear and sun gear.

Abstract: A spreader system for an agricultural harvester, including a hood assembly comprising a rotatable first hood and second hood, and wherein the first and second hoods cover a portion of a respective first and second discs and are configured to rotate between a first position and a second position, in the first position the first and second hoods block upward and rearward flow of a first agricultural material, a second agricultural material, an airflow, or a combination thereof, in the second position the first and second hoods are configured to facilitate upward and rearward flow of the first agricultural material, the second agricultural material, the airflow, or the combination thereof.

Abstract: A grain cleaning system of an agricultural combine directs a flow of high velocity air in a first direction about an inlet end of a cleaning shoe. The system further monitors the cleaning shoe in order to detect a change in an operational parameter of the cleaning shoe, wherein the operational parameter is one of a transient effect of a sieve of the cleaning shoe, a flow rate about and exit end of the cleaning shoe and a flow velocity about an exit end of the cleaning shoe. Further, the flow of high velocity air about the inlet end of the cleaning shoe can be redirected in a second direction in response to a detected change in the operational parameter.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for adaptive control of at least one parameter of an auto guidance control algorithm for a vehicle. The parameters may be varied according to a previously established look up table, or automatically adapted through the use of control logic, such as a “fuzzy logic” algorithm. The control parameters that can be adaptively controlled include steered wheel turn rate, proportional valve current gain, line acquisition rate and/or auto guidance control valve current limits. The control algorithm responds to the vehicle's operating parameters such as vehicle speed, tracking error, predicted heading, and hydraulic oil temperature to make adjustments to the auto guidance control parameters.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester discharge guide includes a porous apparatus adapted for mounting to a discharge end of the agricultural harvester for guiding crop residue discharged from the agricultural harvester.

Abstract: A tagger assembly has a tagger for affixing labels onto a lineal object binding a bale of agricultural crop material. The tagger having an input port for receiving the lineal object and an output port for evacuating the lineal object, and at least one retaining element for tensioning the lineal object, more particularly for tensioning the lineal object when it is raised from an initial position close to the bale to a raised position further away from the bale, for affixing a label.

Abstract: A header lift assembly for an agricultural harvester includes a lift cylinder and a lock assembly. The lift cylinder includes a sleeve and a piston, and the piston is configured to move in an axial direction relative to the sleeve. The lock assembly is coupled to the lift cylinder and is configured to automatically transition to a first locking position upon extension of the piston in the axial direction to a locking distance from the sleeve. The first locking position is configured to block retraction of the piston in the axial direction beyond a first distance from the sleeve. The lock assembly is also configured to automatically disengage from the first locking position to a unlocked position that facilitates retraction of the piston beyond the first distance upon extension of the piston to an unlocking distance.

Abstract: A ladder assembly for a work vehicle is disclosed. The ladder assembly may generally include a ladder having a first side rail, a second side rail and first and second rungs extending between the first and second side rails. The ladder may be supported on the work vehicle at a first pivot point and a second pivot point. The ladder may also include a first linkage and a second linkage. The first linkage may be coupled between the first rung and the first pivot point and the second linkage may be coupled between the second rung and the second pivot point. In addition, the ladder may be configured to pivot about the first and second pivot points between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: A work vehicle includes a frame having opposed compartments to receive a lubricating liquid for providing lubrication to a corresponding motor-powered chain drive. The chain drive is usable to drivingly move a continuous track or a set of wheels for moving the work vehicle. The continuous track and the set of wheels are interchangeably receivable by the frame, the frame remaining virtually identical whether receiving the continuous track or the set of wheels.