Abstract: A moisture sensor for a forage harvester is described, the moisture sensor comprising a sensing device, a processing unit and an output terminal. The sensing device is configured to sense an electrical characteristic of a harvested crop and generate a sensor signal representative of the electrical characteristic. The processing unit is configured to receive the sensor signal from the sensing device and to process the sensor signal to derive a moisture level of the harvested crop. The output terminal is connected to the processing unit for outputting an output signal representative of the moisture level as derived by the processing unit. Each operating mode for the sensing device having a different moisture level sensitivity characteristic, and receiving an operating parameter and selecting an operating mode of the plurality of operating modes for the sensing device, based on the operating parameter.

Abstract: A moisture sensor for a forage harvester is described, the moisture sensor comprising a sensing device, a processing unit and an output terminal. The sensing device is configured to sense an electrical characteristic of a harvested crop and generate a sensor signal representative of the electrical characteristic. The processing unit is configured to receive the sensor signal from the sensing device and to process the sensor signal to derive a moisture level of the harvested crop. The output terminal is connected to the processing unit for outputting an output signal representative of the moisture level as derived by the processing unit. Each operating mode for the sensing device having a different moisture level sensitivity characteristic, and receiving an operating parameter and selecting an operating mode of the plurality of operating modes for the sensing device, based on the operating parameter.

Abstract: A grain transfer control system for automatically controlling relative positions of an unloading system discharge nozzle of a work machine and a receiving container based on a real time model of a fill level profile for regions of the receiving container, the profile being modeled using known or estimated rates of flow of grain and positions of the nozzle relative to regions of the receiving container as a function of time, the system adjusting the relative positions of the nozzle and the receiving container to effect a generally even fill of the receiving container.

Abstract: A grain transfer control system for automatically controlling relative positions of an unloading system discharge nozzle of a work machine and a receiving container based on a real time model of a fill level profile for regions of the receiving container, the profile being modeled using known or estimated rates of flow of grain and positions of the nozzle relative to regions of the receiving container as a function of time, the system adjusting the relative positions of the nozzle and the receiving container to effect a generally even fill of the receiving container.

Abstract: A control system is described for a hydrostatic transmission of an agricultural vehicle comprising a variable displacement hydrostatic pump and a hydrostatic motor. The control system comprises means for determining the prevailing transmission ratio and a controller for applying a demand signal to set the desired ratio of the hydrostatic transmission. The magnitude of the demand signal applied by the controller to the transmission is limited such that the no-load transmission ratio corresponding to the demand signal does not differ from the prevailing measured transmission ratio by more than a predetermined amount.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for a vehicle control system comprising electronic modules used for the automatic control of vehicle operation. The method for automatic storing of configuration file data of at least three electronic modules for the automatic control of vehicle operation, the electronic modules being coupled in a network. Automatically collecting a value of a parameter stored in the electronic modules, deciding which of the collected values should be maintained as being a correct value of the parameter, and sending and/or storing the correct value of the parameter to electronic modules which did not send this value for the parameter during the collection step. A corresponding device is also provided.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for starting heavy machinery driven by an internal combustion engine. The method comprises starting the engine and cyclically operating a clutch to couple the engine to the machinery intermittently. The transmission of torque to the machinery through the clutch is briefly interrupted or reduced when the engine risks stalling.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for starting heavy machinery driven by an internal combustion engine. The method comprises starting the engine and cyclically operating a clutch to couple the engine to the machinery intermittently. The transmission of torque to the machinery through the clutch is briefly interrupted or reduced when the engine risks stalling.

Abstract: A user interface for a harvesting machine, such as a combine harvester, having a position adjustable header implement. Specifically, the user interface is operationally connected to a microcomputer that controls a position adjusting apparatus for positioning the position adjustable header implement. The user interface includes two rocker key switches for selecting between, and subsequently adjusting, two operational modes for the position adjusting apparatus, being a stubble height mode and a pressure compensation mode of operation.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a user interface for a harvesting machine, such as a combine harvester that has a position adjustable header implement. Specifically, the user interface is operationally connected to a microcomputer that controls a position adjusting apparatus for positioning the position adjustable header implement. The user interface includes two rocker key switches for selecting between, and subsequently adjusting, two operational modes for the position adjusting apparatus, being a stubble height mode and a pressure compensation mode of operation.

Abstract: A method of controlling the combination of a baler and a tractor includes the steps of advancing the baler combination through a swath or windrow of biological crop matter with the tractor PTO operating at a generally constant speed to power the baler and the baler operating to take up biological matter while monitoring the flow rate of the biological matter through the baler. A microprocessor compares the assessed flow rate with an optimal flow rate and varies the travel speed of the tractor to maximize the flow rate of crop material through the baler. Preferably, the speed of operation of the tractor is accomplished through changing transmission speeds so that the PTO shaft speed is maintained at a substantially uniform rotational speed. The apparatus provided for carrying out the method of controlling the combination of a tractor and a baler increases the work rate of baling operations.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine, such as a forage harvester, comprises a feeder means for feeding crop material to crop processing means and a feeder arrest means for immediately arresting at least a portion of said feeder means upon detection of a foreign object. Said arrest means comprises a ratchet wheel mounted onto the drive line of said feeder means and an electrical actuator means for loading a pawl into engagement with said ratchet wheel.The harvesting machine comprises a means for automatically monitoring the good operative condition of the electrical actuator means and the means for generating an alarm signal upon detection of a bad operative condition by said monitoring means. The monitoring means checks the condition of the electrical actuator and its circuitry by applying a voltage thereto during a short interval and monitoring the response during or immediately after said interval. The length of this short interval is chosen to preclude actual engagement of the pawl.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine, such as a forage harvester, comprises a plurality of crop processing means (20, 21, 26, 27, 36,38, 49), which are driven in a first sense by an engine (70) through a main clutch (124) and a first drive line portion (111, 112, 39, 87, 89) or a second drive line portion (73, 75, 77, 80, 81, 83). A motor means (110), coupled to the first drive line portion and operable to drive one of the crop processing means, such as a cutterhead (36), in a second sense, opposite to the first sense, is permanently coupled to said first drive line portion, so that during normal harvesting it can provide driving power to auxiliary devices. The second drive line portion is linked to the first drive line portion by means of a belt transmission (95, 99, 100), which is engaged by a hydraulic cylinder (106) when the main clutch (124) is engaged. The first drive line comprises an overrun clutch (87) which is disengaged when the rotation of the cutterhead (36) is reversed by the motor means (110).

Abstract: A self-propelled agricultural harvesting machine (1) is provided with a single channel network (300) for serial communication of digital data messages between programmable microprocessors (215, 218) in a multi-master configuration. The messages are encoded according to an advanced serial communications protocol and are available to all microprocessors (215, 218). The network comprises an optical transmission network with an active starpoint (230) and plastic optical fibres (231), which link the nodes which lay physically far away from each other. An RS232 socket, which is linked to the network (300), enables loading of data and programs to the microprocessors (215, 218). Thus is obtained a reliable and flexible control system for the machine settings, which comprise on-road and off-road (harvesting) parameters. The introduction of a wide range of automatic control routines simplifies to a large extent the tasks of the operator during operation.