Abstract: An autonomously robotic machine for performing one or more agricultural operations. The machine includes a frame having a length and an adjustable width. A plurality of ground-engaging mechanisms are coupled to the frame for propelling the machine in a direction of travel. The machine includes a controller, a power-generating device, and a generator. The controller controls the machine, and the generator receives mechanical power from the power-generating device and produces electrical power. A docking assembly is coupled to the frame. The docking assembly includes a power unit and at least one coupler for coupling to any one of a plurality of agricultural implements.

Abstract: A method for determining a bearing setting of a bearing in a shaft assembly, in which the shaft assembly includes a housing and a shaft rotatable with respect to the housing, with the bearing including a first bearing part coupled to the shaft and a second bearing part coupled to the housing, includes positioning a first portion of a measuring device in direct or indirect contact with the housing and a second portion of the measuring device in direct or indirect contact with the shaft. The method also includes measuring with the measuring device a parameter indicative of an amount of contact between the first bearing part and the second bearing part.

Abstract: A variable is sensed that is indicative of a performance of a machine. A rate of change of the sensed variable is determined, and a control signal is generated for controlling an agricultural vehicle, based upon the rate of change in the value of the sensed variable.

Abstract: An individual spray nozzle contains two or more valves that are actuated by time or frequency modulated signals such as pulse width modulated (PWM) signals. The PWM signals are interleaved to open and close each of the respective valves that enable fluid to flow from an input to a combined output. The opening and closing positions of two or more different valves are interleaved to increase the range of performance, such as to increase the frequency of fluid flow from the input to the combined output. Additional embodiments are described.

Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine has a seed meter assembly having first and second reservoirs for holding a first pool of seeds and a second pool of seeds, respectively. The seed meter assembly is operable to selectively transport seeds from the first pool and seeds from the second pool. The row unit also has a conveyor with a conduit for receiving seeds and configured to discharge the seeds from the seeding machine, and a seed loader disposed between the seed meter assembly and the conveyor for directing the seeds from the seed meter assembly to the conveyor.

Abstract: A control system and method is provided for raising and lowering a vehicle antenna. The control system includes a location receiver for generating vehicle location data, an obstacle detection unit which generates an obstacle signal, an antenna, an antenna motor for raising and lowering the antenna and a control unit. The control unit controls the antenna motor as a function of the vehicle location data and the obstacle signal. The control unit compares the vehicle location signal to stored or received geofencing information defining a geofenced area, and causes the antenna motor to raise the antenna when the vehicle location corresponding to the vehicle location data is inside the geofenced area and no obstacle is detected. The control unit causes the antenna motor to lower the antenna when the vehicle location corresponding to the vehicle location data is outside the geofenced area or if an obstacle is detected.

Abstract: An agricultural baler including a baler mechanism. The agricultural baler includes at least one structural member and a first ground engaging support is pivotally coupled to the structural member about a pivotal axis. A second ground engaging support is rotationally coupled to the structural member about an aft rotational axis. The baler mechanism is pivotally connected to the structural member at a baler connection. The baler connection is located at least one of between the aft rotational axis and the pivotal axis and at the pivotal axis. A bale carriage is coupled to the structural member.

Abstract: A controlled lean system for a tree feller-buncher includes a sensor configured to measure an orientation of a boom coupled to the tree feller-buncher, and a felling head operably connected to the boom. A controller is operable to detect a cut tree carried by the felling head and to estimate a quantity of tree lean needed to reduce torsional load during rotation of the boom while carrying the cut tree based at least in part on the measured orientation of the boom.

Abstract: An automatic control system moves a vehicle so that it can be coupled to an implement. The vehicle has propulsion and steering controls which respond to electronic input signals. A visual target is mounted on the implement. Vehicle mounted cameras generate images of the target. A motion control unit receives and processes the images, and generates vehicle movement commands as a function of the images which are communicated to the propulsion and steering controls. The motion control unit includes a perception engine connected to the cameras, a controller connected to the perception engine, and a vehicle/operator interface which is connected to the controller, and to the propulsion and steering controls. The perception engine captures images from the cameras, un-distorts the images, and searches for the target. If the target is found, the perception engine recovers vehicle posture information and transmits said information to the controller.

Abstract: A method of and arrangement for monitoring the collection of plant material includes the following steps and apparatus for executing these steps, respectively: collecting plant location and attribute data with respect to plant material, before and/or during and/or after harvesting the plant material, providing the plant location and attribute data on a collecting vehicle adapted to collect the harvested plant material, moving the collecting vehicle to the harvested plant material based on the plant location data, collecting the harvested plant material, sensing attribute data of the harvested plant material before and/or during and/or after the collecting, and comparing the sensed attribute data with the plant attribute data and generating an output dependent on the result of the comparison.

Abstract: A seed boot assembly for a seeding machine includes a seed boot, a boot liner and a seed tube adapter. The seed boot has a seed passage extending from an inlet to an outlet. The boot liner extends within the seed passage between the inlet and the outlet. A seed tube adapter is coupled to the seed boot and/or the boot liner.

Abstract: An electrical assembly comprises a dielectric substrate and a metallic conductive trace overlying the substrate. The metallic conductive trace has a hollow cross-section that forms a duct. An annular member protrudes from the metallic conductive trace. The annular member has an opening in communication with the duct, the opening for receiving pressurized air or gas.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment, a powershift transmission may include an input shaft, a first counter shaft, a second counter shaft, and an output shaft operably connected to a transmission housing. The powershift transmission may include a plurality of gears and clutches arranged on the shafts resulting in twenty-seven forward modes.

Abstract: A combine (10) includes a cleaning system (28) and an air conduit (80), which air conduit is arranged outside of a side wall (78) and through which the cleaning air is conducted downstream of the cleaning screens (48, 50, 66) to a suction blower (86) of the straw chopper (68), which suction blower is driven by a drive shaft (96).

Abstract: A drum conveyor has a laterally extending drum (120), first and second stub axles (204, 206) extending into the ends of the drum; two link members (208, 210) that are fixed to the stub axles inside the drum and that support a third axle (212) inside the drum for free rotation with respect to the two link members.

Abstract: At least one example embodiment discloses a seed monitoring system including a light source configured to emit light in an interior of a seed tube, a plurality of light receivers, each of the plurality of light receivers configured to receive light in at least two sectors of a plurality of sectors of a plane in the interior of the seed tube and generate a sensing signal corresponding to the received light, a processing system including a plurality of conditioning channels, the processing system configured to process the sensing signals to generate conditioned signals and a controller configured to generate a seed count value based on the generated conditioned signals.