Abstract: A spreader arrangement for an agricultural harvester includes a windrow chute having a first position for building a windrow in which the chute angles downwardly from a proximal edge to a distal edge of the chute, and a second position for cleanout of the chute in which the chute angles downwardly from the distal edge to the proximal edge of the chute. Adjustment from the first position to the second position and back to the first position can occur automatically when the combine is operating but not currently harvesting, such as during the time period between when a harvesting swath is completed and the next harvesting swath is commenced, so that accumulated crop residue material can be dislodged from the windrow chute without disrupting harvesting or the windrow building process.

Abstract: A spreader arrangement for an agricultural harvester includes a windrow chute having a first position for building a windrow in which the chute angles downwardly from a proximal edge to a distal edge of the chute, and a second position for cleanout of the chute in which the chute angles downwardly from the distal edge to the proximal edge of the chute. Adjustment from the first position to the second position and back to the first position can occur automatically when the combine is operating but not currently harvesting, such as during the time period between when a harvesting swath is completed and the next harvesting swath is commenced, so that accumulated crop residue material can be dislodged from the windrow chute without disrupting harvesting or the windrow building process.

Abstract: A combine side-shaking control system and a method for controlling operation of a side-shaking mechanism in a combine. The control system includes at least one sieve for separating crop material from other materials and a movable side-shaking mechanism coupled to the at least one sieve and configured to move the at least one sieve in a side-to-side motion. The control system also includes at least one sensor for sensing at least one operating condition of a combine system. The control system further includes a controller for receiving the at least one operating condition and causing the side-shaking mechanism to stop moving the at least one sieve in the side-to-side motion or start moving the at least one sieve in the side-to-side motion based on the at least one operating condition.

Abstract: A combine side-shaking control system and a method for controlling operation of a side-shaking mechanism in a combine. The control system includes at least one sieve for separating crop material from other materials and a movable side-shaking mechanism coupled to the at least one sieve and configured to move the at least one sieve in a side-to-side motion. The control system also includes at least one sensor for sensing at least one operating condition of a combine system. The control system further includes a controller for receiving the at least one operating condition and causing the side-shaking mechanism to stop moving the at least one sieve in the side-to-side motion or start moving the at least one sieve in the side-to-side motion based on the at least one operating condition.

Abstract: An evaluation tool related to operation of a combine is provided to aid an operator of the combine. A processing device implements the evaluation tool by receiving an input related to an evaluation to be performed from the operator of the combine. The processing device initializes the evaluation to be performed. A plurality of sensors are operably connected to the processing device and collect data related to the operation of the combine during the evaluation. The processing device analyzes the collected data and presents the analyzed data to the operator of the combine. As such, the operator may review the analyzed data and make an informed choice in proceeding with the combine operation, such as changing settings or operating components to affect the combine performance.

Abstract: A combine side-shaking control system and a method for controlling operation of a side-shaking mechanism in a combine. The control system includes at least one sieve for separating crop material from other materials and a movable side-shaking mechanism coupled to the at least one sieve and configured to move the at least one sieve in a side-to-side motion. The control system also includes at least one sensor for sensing at least one operating condition of a combine system. The control system further includes a controller for receiving the at least one operating condition and causing the side-shaking mechanism to stop moving the at least one sieve in the side-to-side motion or start moving the at least one sieve in the side-to-side motion based on the at least one operating condition.

Abstract: An evaluation tool related to operation of a combine is provided to aid an operator of the combine. A processing device implements the evaluation tool by receiving an input related to an evaluation to be performed from the operator of the combine. The processing device initializes the evaluation to be performed. A plurality of sensors are operably connected to the processing device and collect data related to the operation of the combine during the evaluation. The processing device analyzes the collected data and presents the analyzed data to the operator of the combine. As such, the operator may review the analyzed data and make an informed choice in proceeding with the combine operation, such as changing settings or operating components to affect the combine performance.

Abstract: A combine side-shaking control system and a method for controlling operation of a side-shaking mechanism in a combine. The control system includes at least one sieve for separating crop material from other materials and a movable side-shaking mechanism coupled to the at least one sieve and configured to move the at least one sieve in a side-to-side motion. The control system also includes at least one sensor for sensing at least one operating condition of a combine system. The control system further includes a controller for receiving the at least one operating condition and causing the side-shaking mechanism to stop moving the at least one sieve in the side-to-side motion or start moving the at least one sieve in the side-to-side motion based on the at least one operating condition.

Abstract: A mounting assembly and a rotational position sensor adapted for indicating a rotational position of a feeder of an agricultural combine relative to a frame or chassis supporting the feeder for rotation, utilizing a transfer shaft for connecting a rotatable element of the sensor to a rotatable member of the feeder, which can be a pivot member or pin which pivotally supports the feeder on the combine frame or chassis for rotation relative thereto about an axis through the center of the pivot member or pin. The transfer shaft is held or captured in a housing of the mounting assembly that also supports the sensor, the shaft being allowed to rotate about an axis of rotation of the rotatable element of the sensor. A mounting bracket holds the housing and the sensor on the combine in a predetermined, fixed position and orientation, for holding the protruding end of the shaft in engagement with the rotatable member.

Abstract: A control system for setting operation positions and operating modes for a combine header and automatically moving the header to those positions and modes. The system includes first and second operator inputs that can be located on a propulsion handle of the combine and can be actuated for inputting commands for causing manual and automatic movements, respectively. A third operator input is actuable for setting positions and modes to which the header is automatically movable and can be positioned at a different location. As a result, in operation, an operator can utilize the first input for manually controlling the header, and the second input for initiating automatic movements to at least two predetermined positions and modes, without removal or repositioning of his or her hand on the propulsion handle.

Abstract: A system for controlling the speed of a feeder and header drive of a harvesting machine at a varying ratio to ground speed as a function of an operator inputted signal and the ground speed. The system utilizes a sensed ground speed of the harvesting machine, a sensed feeder and header drive speed, and a speed control input from an operator, for controlling a feeder and header drive control for controllably varying the ratio of the feeder and header speed to the ground speed as a function of the operator input and the sensed ground speed.

Abstract: A system for controlling the speed of a feeder and header drive of a harvesting machine at a varying ratio to ground speed as a function of an operator inputted signal and the ground speed. The system utilizes a sensed ground speed of the harvesting machine, a sensed feeder and header drive speed, and a speed control input from an operator, for controlling a feeder and header drive control for controllably varying the ratio of the feeder and header speed to the ground speed as a function of the operator input and the sensed ground speed.

Abstract: A system for coupling, uncoupling and controlling the operating parameters of the header assembly on an agricultural combine. A fixed coupler block on the feeder assembly of the combine is coupled with a movable coupler block on the header assembly to join hydraulic and electrical conduits by rotating a coupler handle to lock the blocks together. As the handle rotates, it also causes push-pull cables to actuate latch pins which mechanically couple the header assembly to the feeder assembly. The system senses whether a header assembly is present or not and, if present, what type of header assembly is present. In the latter case, the system then controls the operating parameters of the header assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in combination with a combine for sensing the volume of tailings exhausted from a cleaning section of the combine and for providing a visual indication to the operator of the effectiveness of combine operation. The combine includes a mobile frame or chassis having an operator compartment arranged toward a forward end thereof. A threshing section of the combine separates grain from crop material delivered thereto. A cleaning section of the combine functions to remove chaff and tailings from the materials received from the threshing section. A tailings section of the combine is arranged to receive incompletely threshed and separated tailings from the cleaning section. The tailings section comprises a tailings conveyor for forcibly moving tailings toward an elevator that moves the tailings to one of the other sections on the combine for recycling.

Abstract: A combine including an improved HVAC control system. The frame of the combine supports an operator cab, a harvesting head and the other operational systems of the combine. The control system includes an operator control and a heat exchanger located in the cab. The control system also includes at least one sensor disposed to sense at least one of an ambient air temperature, a cab air temperature and solar loading, and to produce at least one sensed signal representative thereof. The operator control is configured to produce a set-point signal representative of a desired cab air temperature. An interface circuit is electromagnetically coupled to the valve assembly, the operator control, and the at least one sensor. A cooling coil may also be located in the cab, wherein the interface circuit is electromagnetically coupled to the associated coolant compressor.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle, tractor, or combine includes a slip monitoring system for determining whether a slip condition exists. The agricultural vehicle includes a combustion engine which indirectly drives a piece of equipment such as a rotor. The rotor is mechanically coupled to the engine via a rotor-drive belt system including two belts and four pulleys. The slip monitoring system analyzes the speed of the rotor and the speed of the engine to determine if there is slippage between the belts and the pulleys. The system determines when a slip condition exists by comparing the ratio of the rotor speed to the engine speed to the ratio of the rotor speed to the engine speed under no-load conditions. When the system determines that the ratio is below the threshold, a display provides visual and audio warnings of the slip condition. The monitoring system is implemented as a software subroutine.

Abstract: An electronic control system for controlling and displaying the status of the location of a combine harvesting head is disclosed herein. The system includes transducers for monitoring the position of the harvesting head relative to the combine, the location of the head relative to the surface upon which the combine is operating, and the force at which the surface is supporting the head. The system also includes a control unit coupled to the transducers and an electronic display located with the operator cab of combine. Depending upon the configuration of the control unit, the control unit samples the transducer signals to apply display signals to the display. In response to the display signals, the display can produce human-readable characters representative of the status of the head as monitored by the transducers.

Abstract: A cotton compacting assembly arranged in combination with a basket or receptacle that receives and holds cotton materials harvested by a cotton harvester. The cotton compacting assembly compacts the relatively light and fluffy cotton materials in the basket to increase the maximum capacity of the basket without increasing the size of the receptacle or basket. The cotton compacting assembly includes a frame mounted for movement in the basket. A powered rotatable member is mounted on and movable with the frame for imparting movements to the cotton materials in the basket. A control circuit automatically moves the frame to compact cotton materials in the basket in response to a predetermined increase in the power requirements of the rotatable member. The control circuit further includes an apparatus for indicating the level of harvested cotton materials in the basket.

Abstract: A combine including a harvesting head position control system is disclosed herein. The control system includes a position sensor assembly for producing signals representative of the location of the head relative to the combine, operator control switches, and a controller coupled to the position sensor assembly and the operator control switches. The position sensor assembly preferably includes between 3 or more position transducers located along the harvesting head and a comparison circuit. The comparison circuit selects the signal produced by the sensor associated with the smallest distance between the head and ground, and applies this signal to the controller. Based upon the signal, the controller controls the position of the head.

Abstract: A hitch assembly control system including an actuator which positions the hitch assembly in response to control signals provided to an electrically driven actuator. The control system further includes an electronic controller operated under the influence of a program for deriving the control signals for the actuator from a series of inputs which monitor and measure various performance criteria. The program functions to operate the hitch assembly in a plurality of different operating states. In a DRAFT state, the hitch assembly position is controlled under the influence of at least four independently set variables. The control system of the present invention is capable of calibrating the hitch assembly configuration as well, as the limits of hitch assembly operation. Moreover, the control system of the present invention is capable of detecting, categorizing and recording failures which occur in various states of hitch assembly operation.