Abstract: A mobile work machine includes a first grade control system that receives a an external reference position signal from a geographic positioning system, and generates blade control signals to control an orientation of a blade in grading a worksite. The mobile work machine also includes a second grade control system that uses blade mainfall and cross slope as well as chassis (or mainframe) mainfall and cross slope to control the orientation of the blade relative to the frame of the work machine to create a planar grade of a desired mainfall and cross slope. When functionality of the first grade control system is interrupted, the mobile work machine automatically switches to using the second grade control system to perform the grading operation, until the interruption to the functionality of the first grade control system is restored.

Abstract: One or more information maps are obtained by an agricultural work machine. The one or more information maps map one or more agricultural characteristic values at different geographic locations of a field. An in-situ sensor on the agricultural work machine senses an agricultural characteristic as the agricultural work machine moves through the field. A predictive map generator generates a predictive map that predicts a predictive agricultural characteristic at different locations in the field based on a relationship between the values in the one or more information maps and the agricultural characteristic sensed by the in-situ sensor. The predictive map can be output and used in automated machine control.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling movement of an implement for a self-propelled work vehicle, said implement comprising one or more components coupled to a main frame of the work vehicle. A linkage joint in defined in association with at least one implement component, wherein sensors are respectively associated with opposing sides of the linkage joint. Output signals from each sensor comprise sense elements which are fused in an independent coordinate frame associated at least in part with the respective linkage joint, wherein the independent coordinate frame is independent of a global navigation frame for the work vehicle. At least one joint characteristic (e.g., joint angle) is tracked based on at least a portion of the sense elements from the received output signals for each of the opposing sides of the respective linkage joint. Movement of implement components may optionally be controlled in view of the tracked joint characteristics.

Abstract: An electric machine for a work vehicle including a housing, a stator assembly positioned inside the housing, and a rotor assembly rotatably connected to the housing via a bearing. The rotor assembly is positioned to form an air gap between the stator assembly and the rotor assembly. A front air dam is positioned at a first end of the housing and adjacent to the air gap. The front air dam includes an external barrier, an internal barrier, an opening in the internal barrier, and a passageway in the internal barrier. A fan is attached to the rotor assembly and positioned within the housing. The fan generates a first air flow towards the air gap and a second air flow through the passageway.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for determining mistrack conditions in work vehicles such as excavators having first and second tracks. A controller uses data from onboard sensors (e.g., cameras, lidar) having an external field of view to detect a first position of, e.g., a track of the work vehicle relative to a first external point in a local reference system independent of a global reference system and to detect, upon the work vehicle having advanced from the detected first position a predetermined distance, a second position of the at least first component of the work vehicle relative to a second external point in the local reference system. The controller further determines an amount of mistrack error corresponding to a difference between the detected second position and an expected second position, and generates an output signal based on the determined amount of mistrack error.

Abstract: A baler implement a tag installer operable to attach an RFID identification tag to a bale. A reader is positioned to interrogate the identification tag for receiving data from the identification tag. The reader is operable to emit an interrogation signal for interrogating the identification tag in accordance with a pre-defined timing sequence. The reader emits the interrogation signal regardless of a position of the bale in the baling chamber or on the baler implement. As such, the interrogation signal is emitted based on the pre-defined timing sequence. The pre-defined timing sequence may include a repeated on/off interrogation sequence, or continuously scanning interrogation sequence.

Abstract: A crop bale wrap delivery system and method selectively pays out a sheet of wrap at a selectable sheet feed rate selected from a range of sheet feed rates. The wrap delivery system and method selectively pays out a first portion of the wrap onto a rotating crop module at a first sheet feed rate and pays out a second portion of the wrap onto the module at a second sheet feed rate different from the first sheet feed rate. Three or more portions of the wrap may be payed out onto the crop module at three of more differed sheet feed rates that may be selectable by an operator or based on properties of the wrap material or the crop. The wrap feed rate may be a selectable variable or a continuously variable sheet feed rate selected from a range of pay out feeds or feed rates.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining a leaf-to-stem ratio of a crop automatically from an image of the crop. An agricultural vehicle may include a crop analysis system having a computing device and an imaging device for capturing an image of a crop. The computing device analyzes images acquired by the imaging determine to determine a leaf-to-stem ratio of the crop.

Abstract: In order to optimize strength, wear, and picking efficiency, a cotton picker spindle may comprise a first end oppositely disposed from a second end. The spindle may comprise a plurality of barbs disposed about a surface of the body. Each of the barbs may comprise barb attributes comprising barb width, leading angle, trailing angle and barb depth. One or more of the barb attributes may change from the first end towards the second end. Barb spacing may also be varied.

Abstract: Systems and methods for selectively cooling a vehicle fluid are disclosed. Particularly, systems and methods for selectively cooling axle fluid of a vehicle are disclosed. By selectively cooling the axle fluid, energy is conserved by avoiding continuously circulating the axle fluid through a cooling system when a temperature of the axle fluid does not satisfy a selected criteria. The systems and methods also disclose selectively heating a fluid, such as an axle fluid, such as upon startup of the vehicle, and selectively cooling the axle fluid once operation of a power source of the vehicle, such as an engine of the vehicle, has ceased.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a work vehicle has a drive housing, including a first housing element forming a reaction member, a drive shaft, a planetary gear set coupled to the drive shaft and configured to selectively rotate an output element. The planetary gear set has an input component, an output component and a reaction component. One or more input clutch arrangements at an input side of the drive assembly are configured to selectively interface with the planetary gear set to effect a rotation speed of the output element. A control clutch arrangement interfaces with the reaction member and the reaction component. The control clutch arrangement is configured to selectively couple and decouple the reaction member from the reaction component to damp a torque increase transmitted to the output element.

Abstract: One or more information maps are obtained by an agricultural work machine. The one or more information maps map one or more agricultural characteristic values at different geographic locations of a field. An in-situ sensor on the agricultural work machine senses an agricultural characteristic as the agricultural work machine moves through the field. A predictive map generator generates a predictive map that predicts a predictive agricultural characteristic at different locations in the field based on a relationship between the values in the one or more information maps and the agricultural characteristic sensed by the in-situ sensor. The predictive map can be output and used in automated machine control.

Abstract: A vehicle brake system includes a first main cylinder with a first main cylinder connection and a first actuating device with a first actuating connection. The first main cylinder connection is in flow-connection to the first actuating connection, and the first actuating device is operable with the first main cylinder. A first brake circuit is provided between a pump and a first wheel cylinder, where the pump in the first brake circuit is operable to generate pressure and move a fluid within the first brake circuit. A first valve device is provided in the first brake circuit where the first valve device is movable between a first configuration in which a flow connection is produced between the pump and the first wheel cylinder, and a second configuration in which a flow connection between the pump and the first wheel cylinder is prevented.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for operating a machine using energy stored in a compress gas are disclosed. Energy stored in the compressed gas may be used to pressurize a fluid, such as transmission fluid, and the pressurized fluid may be used to effectuate an operation of the machine, such as a transmission, and the operation of the machine may involve shifting of a transmission. The gas may be compressed with another fluid that is different from the fluid used to operate the machine, and the two fluid may be prevented from being mixed together.

Abstract: A camera calibration tool for calibrating one or more cameras of a mobile machine comprising calibration targets and a net. Each of the calibration targets comprises identifiable indicia. The net is adapted to be coupled to the mobile machine. The net has one or more configurations that define predetermined target locations, with location markers, in a predetermined layout. The calibration targets are positioned respectively at the predetermined target locations in the predetermined layout to calibrate the one or more cameras by use of the calibration targets.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a configuration of a bale chute of a baler and, particularly, a square baler are disclosed. In some implementations, methods include determining a condition of a baler to determine whether a bale chute of the baler is to be extended or retracted.

Abstract: A shift group for a power shift transmission includes a summation unit having a planetary stage and a branching coupling assigned to the planetary stage. The summation unit is designed such that a mechanical power is transmitted from a first shaft to a second shaft. A first power path and a second power path are provided. In a first shifting state, the power is transmitted via the first or the second power path, and in a second shifting state, the power is transmitted via both the first and the second power paths. The shift group also includes individually shiftable transmission units each comprising a different transmission ratio, where a first transmission unit is disposed in the first power path and a second and a third transmission unit are disposed in the second power path.

Abstract: A system and method of fault detection based on a detailed waveform analysis is presented for transient and steady-state fault operation of 3-? DAB converter. Main symptoms of the converter during normal and fault conditions have been identified and a unique pattern in DC bias of phase currents under fault mode is noted. The logic-based fault diagnosis scheme is used to detect the fault and identify the faulty transistor.

Abstract: An improved discretionary current input circuit includes a switch sensing an operating condition of a tractor and having a first state if the operating condition is not satisfied and a second state if the operating condition is satisfied, and a microcontroller that deactivates at least one function of the tractor if the switch is in the first state. The switch draws a nominal current except during specified time intervals that are shorter than the time for drawing the nominal current. A power transistor is connected through a diode and resistor to the switch. The power transistor normally is in an off condition, and is powered during the specified time intervals to an on condition to increase current above the nominal current to a threshold through the switch.

Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of an attachment includes coupling the attachment to a tractor via a power lift comprising two lower link arms and detecting a pull point as a geometrical intersection of imaginary extensions of both lower link arms based on reference angles. The method further includes determining the reference angles by an optical capture of the lower link arms, and controlling the operation based on the detected pull point.