Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling operation of a cleaning system for a sensor arrangement of an agricultural machine. Operational data for the machine is used to determine the working of a working environment by the agricultural machine, such as whether a given operation is being performed or not at a given time and/or location. Operation of the cleaning system is then controlled in dependence on the determined operation.

Abstract: A harvester includes a first electromagnetic detecting and ranging module for detecting the location of a receiving vehicle and a second electromagnetic detecting and ranging module for detecting at least one of a fill level and a distribution of processed crop in a grain bin of the receiving vehicle. One or more computing devices are configured to receive first data from the first electromagnetic detecting and ranging module, receive second data from the second electromagnetic detecting and ranging module and use the first data and the second data to generate graphic data defining a graphical representation illustrating the relative positions of an unload conveyor of the harvester and the grain bin and illustrating at least one of a fill level and a distribution of processed crop in the grain bin. An electronic device is configured to use the graphic data to present the graphical representation on a graphical user interface.

Abstract: A grain cleaning system for a combine harvester having a transmitter adapted to transmit a base signal at a known frequency and one or more spaced receivers for detecting signals of a different frequency as reflected from airborne grain and other materials within the duct of the grain cleaning system. An Electronic Control Unit modulates the base signal and the reflected signals to obtain Doppler signals or frequencies from which an average particle velocity is determined. The particle velocity is used as an input parameter for the generation of control signals for the adjustment of various working units of the combine harvester including, by way of example, the fan and sieves.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for monitoring operation of an agricultural machine performing an agricultural operation. Image data from one or more image sensors is obtained and used to monitor operation of an implement operably coupled to the machine. The image data is used determine a crop parameter for each of one or more crop constituents indicative of the position and/or motion of the respective crop constituent with respect to the implement. A performance metric for the agricultural operation is determined in dependence on the determined crop parameter(s). One or more operable components associated with the machine can then be controlled in dependence on the determined performance metric.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for monitoring operation of an agricultural harvesting machine, such as a forage harvester. A first sensor, operably coupled, in use, to the harvesting machine, obtains first sensor data which is indicative of a crop content measure. A second sensor, operably coupled, in use, to the harvesting machine, obtains second sensor data which is indicative of a crop size measure. A crop processing metric is calculated in dependence on the first and second sensor data and used to control operation of one or more operable components of or otherwise associated with the agricultural harvesting machine, e.g. to adjust a level of processing applied by the harvesting machine.

Abstract: An impact sensor is mounted in a duct of a grain cleaning system above an upper sieve. The impact sensor has an upstream-facing impact-sensing surface with respect to a cleaning airstream, and is configured to transduce impact events and generate impact signals. An electronic control unit (ECU) is configured to generate control signals based upon a particle energy value that is determined from the impact signals. The control signals may serve to adjust various working units of a combine harvester including, by way of example, a cleaning fan and sieves.

Abstract: A grain cleaning system for a combine harvester having a transmitter adapted to transmit a base signal at a known frequency and one or more spaced receivers for detecting signals of a different frequency as reflected from airborne grain and other materials within the duct of the grain cleaning system. An Electronic Control Unit modulates the base signal and the reflected signals to obtain Doppler signals or frequencies from which an average particle velocity is determined. The particle velocity is used as an input parameter for the generation of control signals for the adjustment of various working units of the combine harvester including, by way of example, the fan and sieves.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control system and method for controlling operation of one or more operational parameters of an agricultural machine. Using a position of the agricultural machine within a mapped environment; a heading parameter indicative of a direction of travel of the agricultural machine within the mapped environment is determined. An associated operational profile is then employed controlling operation of one or more operable components of the agricultural machine in dependence on the direction of travel of the machine within the mapped environment such that configuration of those components is appropriate for the environmental conditions.

Abstract: Some embodiments may provide a suspension unit that may include a rail having a longitudinal axis, a sliding member slidably connected to the rail, and shock absorption and springing means adapted to damp motions and support forces along the longitudinal axis of the rail, wherein, the rail and the sliding member are shaped to have transverse cross-sectional profiles that prevent a rotational movement of the sliding member with respect to the rail about the longitudinal axis of the rail. In some embodiments, the suspension unit may be part of an in-wheel system further including at least a steering unit.

Abstract: A combine harvester, and method of control involves conveying a crop material stream through a grain cleaning system which has screening apparatus. A cleaning airstream (X) is generated by a fan which is driven by a hydraulic fan drive system. The cleaning airstream (X) is directed through the screening apparatus. A fan drive pressure of a hydraulic supply line within the fan drive system is measured with a sensor. A material quantity value is calculated from the fan drive pressure. A working unit of the combine harvester is controlled using the material quantity value.

Abstract: A combine harvester includes a grain pan that is arranged to catch a crop stream. The grain pan is driven in a fore and aft oscillating manner to convey the crop stream rearwardly across a conveyance surface to a rear edge. The grain pan is provided with an upright panel extending in a fore and aft direction on the conveyance surface. A grain cleaning system is arranged to receive the crop stream from the grain pan. A crop stream analysis system is provided for analysing a vertical section of a crop material layer disposed on the grain pan. The analysis system includes a vertical array of photoelectric sensing devices mounted to the panel. Each photoelectric sensing device is configured to sense a reflectance of crop material disposed against the panel. A processor is configured to receive reflectance signals from the photoelectric sensing devices and determine a material stratification status from the reflectance signals.

Abstract: A system includes an agricultural crop receiving vehicle with a bin for receiving and holding agricultural crop material and a camera positioned to capture images of an area proximate the receiving vehicle. One or more computing devices receive the image data from the camera, identify one or more features of a harvester in the image data, determine a location of the agricultural harvester relative to the crop receiving vehicle, and use the location of the agricultural harvester to generate control signals for controlling movement of the agricultural crop receiving vehicle to coordinate receiving crop material in the bin from the harvester or for controlling a graphical user interface to present a visual indicator of the relative locations of the agricultural crop receiving vehicle and the agricultural harvester.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a crop processor for reducing crop material to processed crop and an unload conveyor for transferring processed crop out of the agricultural harvester. One or more sensors generate data indicating a fill level of processed crop within a receiving vehicle. A camera generates image data including at least a portion of the receiving vehicle. A controller receives the data from the one or more sensors, determines the fill level of the processed crop in the grain bin of the receiving vehicle, receives the image data from the camera and generates a graphical indicator of the fill level. The graphical indicator includes a graphical depiction of the receiving vehicle from the image data and a graphical marker superimposed over at least a portion of the graphical depiction of the receiving vehicle. A graphical user interface presents the graphical indicator of the fill level to a user.

Abstract: A combine harvester (10) comprises sensing means to detect or estimate a volume of material other than grain (MOG) flowing through crop processing apparatus. A photoelectric sensing device (60) in communication with a controller (101) is arranged forward of, and below, a front edge (32?) of a return pan (32) which serves to catch crop material falling from overhead separating apparatus (20). The photoelectric sensing device (60) generates one or more light beams (68) which are directed across a path of a crop mat (80) as the mat falls under gravity from the front edge (32?). The controller (101) is configured to generate one of a fan speed setting and a sieve opening setting in dependence upon detection signals that are generated by the photoelectric sensing device (60).

Abstract: A combine harvester includes threshing apparatus, separating apparatus, a grain cleaning system located downstream of the separating apparatus, and a material conveyance system arranged to convey crop material from the separating apparatus to the grain cleaning system. The grain cleaning system includes screening apparatus, a fan arranged to generate a cleaning airstream through the screening apparatus, and a fan control system configured to control a fan speed. The fan control system includes a proximity sensor mounted above the material conveyance system for sensing a material volume. The fan control system controls the fan speed in dependence upon the material volume.

Abstract: A header for a harvesting machine which includes one or more crop-engaging components and a sensing unit positioned within a flowpath of material and downstream of at least one of the one or more crop-engaging components. The sensing unit is configured, in use, to measure an impact parameter indicative of a force and/or frequency of material incident on a detection surface of the sensing unit in order to determine a measure of grain loss associated with the header.

Abstract: A spreader tool for an agricultural machine, which includes an inlet into which material is passed from one or more further components of the agricultural machine and an outlet through which the material may be deposited from the machine. A sensing unit is positioned within the flow path of material deposited through the outlet and configured, in use, to measure an impact parameter indicative of a force and/or frequency of material deposited from the spreader tool and incident on a detection surface of the sensing unit, which may be used to determine the grain loss associated with the machine.

Abstract: A forage harvester including a chopping drum having a plurality of knife blades, a knife sharpening apparatus, a discharge spout, image capture apparatus for generating a series of captured images of processed crop in the discharge spout, an electronic control unit, and a memory. The electronic control unit determines data relating to aspects of crop flow from a first image or a first set of images in a series of captured images. The memory stores this data as control data. The electronic control unit then compares data relating to aspects of crop flow determined from subsequent captured images, with the control data. In the event of a predetermined deviation of the data relating to the aspects of crop flow, from the control data, the control unit generates a signal indicating that sharpening the knife blades is required.

Abstract: A grain cleaning system for a combine harvester having a transmitter adapted to transmit a base signal at a known frequency and one or more spaced receivers for detecting signals of a different frequency as reflected from airborne grain and other materials within the duct of the grain cleaning system An Electronic Control Unit modulates the base signal and the reflected signals to obtain Doppler signals or frequencies from which an average particle velocity is determined. The particle velocity is used as an input parameter for the generation of control signals for the adjustment of various working units of the combine harvester including, by way of example, the fan and sieves.

Abstract: An impact sensor is mounted in a duct of a grain cleaning system above an upper sieve. The impact sensor has an upstream-facing impact-sensing surface with respect to a cleaning airstream, and is configured to transduce impact events and generate impact signals therefrom. An electronic control unit (ECU) is configured to generate control signals based upon a particle energy value that is determined from the impact signals. The control signals may serve to adjust various working units of a combine harvester including, by way of example, a cleaning fan and sieves.