Abstract: A material reduction machine includes a prime mover driving a cutting mechanism. An infeed portion engages a piece of material to feed it forward to the cutting mechanism. A sensor senses a machine load parameter via the cutting mechanism and/or prime mover and reports a signal to a controller operatively coupled to the infeed portion to control sequential cutting cycles on the piece of material. The controller utilizes a stored first stop threshold value for stopping a first cutting cycle and continues monitoring the signal as machine load increases momentarily after reaching the first stop threshold. The controller determines and adopts a second stop threshold value based on observation of the machine load parameter indicative of maximum load during the continued monitoring following attainment of the first stop threshold, and further being based on a stored correction factor. The second stop threshold value is used for a second cutting cycle.

Abstract: A material reduction machine including an engine, a material reduction tool, a drivetrain, and a control system. The drivetrain is between the engine and the material reduction tool, and includes a coupling and a power transfer element, the coupling having an engaged state and a disengaged state. When engaged, the coupling enables power transfer through the power transfer element and when disengaged, the coupling inhibits power transfer through the power transfer element. The control system includes a sensor to detect a speed of the engine or the material reduction tool, a drivetrain protection system to protect the power transfer element by disengaging the coupling, and a controller to enable the drivetrain protection system based on a first signal from the sensor indicating the speed is at or above a first threshold, and to disengage the coupling based on a second signal indicating the speed is below a second threshold.

Abstract: A material reduction machine includes a prime mover driving a cutting mechanism. An infeed portion engages a piece of material to feed it forward to the cutting mechanism. A sensor senses a machine load parameter via the cutting mechanism and/or prime mover and reports a signal to a controller operatively coupled to the infeed portion to control sequential cutting cycles on the piece of material. The controller utilizes a stored first stop threshold value for stopping a first cutting cycle and continues monitoring the signal as machine load increases momentarily after reaching the first stop threshold. The controller determines and adopts a second stop threshold value based on observation of the machine load parameter indicative of maximum load during the continued monitoring following attainment of the first stop threshold, and further being based on a stored correction factor. The second stop threshold value is used for a second cutting cycle.

Abstract: A material reduction machine including an engine, a material reduction tool, a drivetrain, and a control system. The drivetrain is between the engine and the material reduction tool, and includes a coupling and a power transfer element, the coupling having an engaged state and a disengaged state. When engaged, the coupling enables power transfer through the power transfer element and when disengaged, the coupling inhibits power transfer through the power transfer element. The control system includes a sensor to detect a speed of the engine or the material reduction tool, a drivetrain protection system to protect the power transfer element by disengaging the coupling, and a controller to enable the drivetrain protection system based on a first signal from the sensor indicating the speed is at or above a first threshold, and to disengage the coupling based on a second signal indicating the speed is below a second threshold.

Abstract: A control system and method for adjusting a rotational speed of a header on an agricultural vehicle based on ground speed of the agricultural vehicle. The header may include a plurality of cutters rotatably actuated with a header actuator. The control system may have a processor that compares a ground speed of the agricultural vehicle with a threshold ground speed. If the ground speed of the agricultural vehicle is below the threshold ground speed, the processor may command the header actuator to rotate the cutters at a constant predetermined rotational speed. If the ground speed of the agricultural vehicle is above the threshold ground speed, the processor may command the header actuator to increase rotational speed of the cutters in proportion to the ground speed of the agricultural vehicle.

Abstract: A control system and method for adjusting a rotational speed of a header on an agricultural vehicle based on ground speed of the agricultural vehicle. The header may include a plurality of cutters rotatably actuated with a header actuator. The control system may have a processor that compares a ground speed of the agricultural vehicle with a threshold ground speed. If the ground speed of the agricultural vehicle is below the threshold ground speed, the processor may command the header actuator to rotate the cutters at a constant predetermined rotational speed. If the ground speed of the agricultural vehicle is above the threshold ground speed, the processor may command the header actuator to increase rotational speed of the cutters in proportion to the ground speed of the agricultural vehicle.

Abstract: A control system and method for adjusting a rotational speed of a header on an agricultural vehicle based on ground speed of the agricultural vehicle. The header may include a plurality of cutters rotatably actuated with a header actuator. The control system may have a processor that compares a ground speed of the agricultural vehicle with a threshold ground speed. If the ground speed of the agricultural vehicle is below the threshold ground speed, the processor may command the header actuator to rotate the cutters at a constant predetermined rotational speed. If the ground speed of the agricultural vehicle is above the threshold ground speed, the processor may command the header actuator to increase rotational speed of the cutters in proportion to the ground speed of the agricultural vehicle.

Abstract: A control system and method for adjusting a rotational speed of a header on an agricultural vehicle based on ground speed of the agricultural vehicle. The header may include a plurality of cutters rotatably actuated with a header actuator. The control system may have a processor that compares a ground speed of the agricultural vehicle with a threshold ground speed. If the ground speed of the agricultural vehicle is below the threshold ground speed, the processor may command the header actuator to rotate the cutters at a constant predetermined rotational speed. If the ground speed of the agricultural vehicle is above the threshold ground speed, the processor may command the header actuator to increase rotational speed of the cutters in proportion to the ground speed of the agricultural vehicle.

Abstract: A speed and direction controller for selectively providing infinitely variable and incremental control of groundspeed of an agricultural vehicle. The speed and direction controller may communicate with a control system for controlling groundspeed of the agricultural vehicle. The speed and direction controller may include a forward-neutral-reverse (FNR) lever and incremental control elements located on the FNR lever. The FNR lever may be infinitely variable between a maximum forward position and a maximum rearward position, corresponding with a maximum forward groundspeed and a maximum rearward groundspeed, respectively. The incremental control elements may be manipulated by a user to send a signal to the control system for increasing or decreasing the maximum forward or rearward groundspeed by a predetermined amount. This increase or decrease in the maximum forward or rearward groundspeeds may be used by the control system to scale speed commands received from the FNR lever.