Abstract: A system and method for automatic wrapping bales in a bale wrapper, including placing a bale on a loading table and performing a wrapping cycle. The wrapping cycle including rotating a wrapping hoop to apply a wrapping material to a bale surface, moving a bale pushing device from a first position toward a second position to push the bale through the wrapping hoop, dispensing from a first material applicator and a second material applicator, determining presence of the wrapping material, by a sensor on the wrapping hoop, adjusting based on the determining, a ratio of moving speed to rotational speed of the wrapping hoop, to apply a predetermined amount of wrapping material independent of the presence of wrapping material dispensing, continuing to move the bale pushing device until the second position is reached, stopping the rotation of the wrapping hoop, and moving the bale pushing device to the first position.

Abstract: A method and a bale wrapping device for wrapping a bale. The method includes receiving a bale at a bale moving ramp device of the bale wrapping device. The bale on the bale moving ramp device is moved through a bale wrapping frame. The breathable sheet of wrapping material is applied on the bale to wrap the bale as the bale passes through the bale wrapping frame, and a roller on the bale wrapping frame holds a roll of the breathable sheet of wrapping material.

Abstract: A control system for mixing materials for livestock feed including a container that receives the materials, agitators that mix the materials in the container, a driveline that drives the agitators at an output speed with an output torque, a power source that provides an input speed at an input torque, a continuously variable transmission that connects the driveline and the power source and having a hydrostatic loop to provide a speed ratio between the input speed and the output speed, a plurality of sensors positioned between the power source and the agitators that provides mixing signals commensurate to mixing parameters, and an electronic control unit configured to receive the mixing signals, extract mixing parameter values from the mixing signals, and actuate the continuously variable transmission and adjust the speed ratio based on the mixing parameter values to enhance efficiency of the mixing of the materials.

Abstract: A transmission system for a feed mixer including a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is provided. The CVT includes a mechanical loop and a hydrostatic loop. The CVT is operated so that the mechanical portion of the CVT is prevented from overtaking the hydrostatic portion of the CVT at start up of the CVT.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for use with mergers are disclosed. A disclosed method for processing a material on a ground surface includes detecting, via one or more sensors, an object of interest associated with the material when a merger is forming a windrow on the ground surface. The method also includes a step for facilitating removal of the object of interest from the material in response to the detection.

Abstract: A transmission system for a feed mixer including a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is provided. The CVT includes a mechanical loop and a hydrostatic loop. The CVT is operated so that the mechanical portion of the CVT is prevented from overtaking the hydrostatic portion of the CVT at start up of the CVT.

Abstract: A control system for mixing materials having a container to receive the materials, agitators, a driveline to drive the agitators at an output speed with an output torque, an power source to provide an input speed with an input torque, a continuously variable transmission that connects the driveline and the power source, and an electronic control unit configured to adjust a speed ratio of the continuously variable transmission to provide a linear relationship between the input torque and the output torque with a slope, when the input torque is below a control input threshold, and to follow a corrected linear relationship between the input torque and the output torque with a corrected slope smaller than the slope when the input torque is above the control input threshold.

Abstract: A discharge device includes a plurality of material conveying components, an adjustable shear ledge, and an adjustable shroud to convey materials from a container of a material spreader out onto an open area. The adjustable shear ledge includes at least one longitudinal mounting member such that the adjustable shear ledge may be translated towards or away from the plurality of material conveying components to maintain a predetermined gap distance. The adjustable shroud may also be pivotably connected to the adjustable shear ledge such that the adjustable shroud can be pivoted towards or away from the plurality of material conveying components. The adjustable shear ledge and the adjustable shroud may be moved accordingly to maintain a preferred gap distance and to maintain concentricity with a swing of the material conveying components in order to reduce wear on components and promote spread performance of the material spreader.

Abstract: A control system for mixing materials having a container to receive the materials, agitators, a driveline to drive the agitators at an output speed with an output torque, an power source to provide an input speed with an input torque, a continuously variable transmission that connects the driveline and the power source, and an electronic control unit configured to adjust a speed ratio of the continuously variable transmission to provide a linear relationship between the input torque and the output torque with a slope, when the input torque is below a control input threshold, and to follow a corrected linear relationship between the input torque and the output torque with a corrected slope smaller than the slope when the input torque is above the control input threshold.

Abstract: A spreader assembly to distribute materials on a ground surface, including a container to hold the materials, a frame affixed to the container, a beater assembly supported by the frame that receives the materials from the container and processes the materials to obtain processed materials, and a spinner assembly that receives the processed materials and expulses the processed materials from the frame onto the ground surface. The beater assembly includes a pair of rotating elements that blends the materials to produce the processed materials, and a deflector located between the pair of rotating elements configured to prevent the formation of agglomerates in the processed materials.

Abstract: A control system for mixing materials having a container to receive the materials, agitators, a driveline to drive the agitators at an output speed with an output torque, an power source to provide an input speed with an input torque, a continuously variable transmission that connects the driveline and the power source, and an electronic control unit configured to adjust a speed ratio of the continuously variable transmission to provide a linear relationship between the input torque and the output torque with a slope, when the input torque is below a control input threshold, and to follow a corrected linear relationship between the input torque and the output torque with a corrected slope smaller than the slope when the input torque is above the control input threshold.

Abstract: A control system for mixing materials for livestock feed including a container that receives the materials, agitators that mix the materials in the container, a driveline that drives the agitators at an output speed with an output torque, a power source that provides an input speed at an input torque, a continuously variable transmission that connects the driveline and the power source and having a hydrostatic loop to provide a speed ratio between the input speed and the output speed, a plurality of sensors positioned between the power source and the agitators that provides mixing signals commensurate to mixing parameters, and an electronic control unit configured to receive the mixing signals, extract mixing parameter values from the mixing signals, and actuate the continuously variable transmission and adjust the speed ratio based on the mixing parameter values to enhance efficiency of the mixing of the materials.

Abstract: A system for driving a reel mixing tool, including a unit structure, a bottom output shaft, an output gearbox, a reel mixer driveshaft, a reel mixer gearbox, a flexible coupling, and a reel mixing tool, is provided. The unit structure supports the bottom output shaft which is connected to the output gearbox, the output gearbox is connected to the reel mixer driveshaft, the reel mixer driveshaft is connected to the reel mixer gearbox, the reel mixer gearbox is directly coupled to the reel mixing tool by the flexible coupling, allowing the bottom output shaft to transfer power through to the reel mixing tool.

Abstract: A control system for mixing materials having a container to receive the materials, agitators, a driveline to drive the agitators at an output speed with an output torque, an power source to provide an input speed with an input torque, a continuously variable transmission that connects the driveline and the power source, and an electronic control unit configured to adjust a speed ratio of the continuously variable transmission to provide a linear relationship between the input torque and the output torque with a slope, when the input torque is below a control input threshold, and to follow a corrected linear relationship between the input torque and the output torque with a corrected slope smaller than the slope when the input torque is above the control input threshold.

Abstract: A merger, for picking up and distributing materials from a ground surface, includes a frame that provides support to the merger, a pick-up head affixed to the frame that lifts the materials from the ground surface, a height adjustor affixed to the frame that maintains a minimum clearance between the ground surface and the pick-up head, and a conveyor affixed to the frame that receives the materials from the pick-up head. The conveyor includes a first belt and a second belt that independently distributes the materials on the ground surface from at least one of a first side of the frame and a second side of the frame.

Abstract: A discharge device includes a plurality of material conveying components, an adjustable shear ledge, and an adjustable shroud to convey materials from a container of a material spreader out onto an open area. The adjustable shear ledge includes at least one longitudinal mounting member such that the adjustable shear ledge may be translated towards or away from the plurality of material conveying components to maintain a predetermined gap distance. The adjustable shroud may also be pivotably connected to the adjustable shear ledge such that the adjustable shroud can be pivoted towards or away from the plurality of material conveying components. The adjustable shear ledge and the adjustable shroud may be moved accordingly to maintain a preferred gap distance and to maintain concentricity with a swing of the material conveying components in order to reduce wear on components and promote spread performance of the material spreader.

Abstract: A spreader assembly to distribute materials on a ground surface, including a container to hold the materials, a frame affixed to the container, a beater assembly supported by the frame that receives the materials from the container and processes the materials to obtain processed materials, and a spinner assembly that receives the processed materials and expulses the processed materials from the frame onto the ground surface. The beater assembly includes a pair of rotating elements that blends the materials to produce the processed materials, and a deflector located between the pair of rotating elements configured to prevent the formation of agglomerates in the processed materials.

Abstract: A discharge device includes a plurality of material conveying components, an adjustable shear ledge, and an adjustable shroud to convey materials from a container of a material spreader out onto an open area. The adjustable shear ledge includes at least one longitudinal mounting member such that the adjustable shear ledge may be translated towards or away from the plurality of material conveying components to maintain a predetermined gap distance. The adjustable shroud may also be pivotably connected to the adjustable shear ledge such that the adjustable shroud can be pivoted towards or away from the plurality of material conveying components. The adjustable shear ledge and the adjustable shroud may be moved accordingly to maintain a preferred gap distance and to maintain concentricity with a swing of the material conveying components in order to reduce wear on components and promote spread performance of the material spreader.

Abstract: A merger that picks up and distributes materials from a ground surface is provided. The merger includes a frame that provides support to the merger, a pick-up head affixed to the frame that lifts the materials from the ground surface, a height adjuster affixed to the frame that maintains a minimum clearance between the ground surface and the pick-up head, and a conveyor affixed to the frame that receives the materials from the pick-up head. The conveyor includes a first belt and a second belt that independently distributes the materials on the ground surface from at least one of a first side of the frame and a second side of the frame.

Abstract: A system for driving a reel mixing tool, including a unit structure, a bottom output shaft, an output gearbox, a reel mixer driveshaft, a reel mixer gearbox, a flexible coupling, and a reel mixing tool, is provided. The unit structure supports the bottom output shaft which is connected to the output gearbox, the output gearbox is connected to the reel mixer driveshaft, the reel mixer driveshaft is connected to the reel mixer gearbox, the reel mixer gearbox is directly coupled to the reel mixing tool by the flexible coupling, allowing the bottom output shaft to transfer power through to the reel mixing tool.