Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment, a mower-conditioner may include first and second conditioning rolls, at least one eccentric assembly, and a linkage. The first and second conditioning rolls are spaced apart a distance. The at least one eccentric assembly is coupled to the mower-conditioner. The linkage is coupled between the eccentric assembly and the first conditioning roll. The movement of the at least one eccentric assembly causes the first conditioning roll to move via the linkage, which adjusts the distance between the first and second conditioning rolls.

Abstract: A harvesting work vehicle includes a conditioning arrangement configured to condition a crop material. A method of operating the work vehicle includes receiving, by a processor of a control system from a memory element, a stored conditioning setting for a variable parameter of the conditioning arrangement. The method also includes processing, by the processor, a conditioning control signal based, at least in part, on the stored conditioning setting. Furthermore, the method includes changing, with an actuator, the variable parameter of the conditioning arrangement according to the conditioning control signal.

Abstract: A windrowing work vehicle with a swath flap arrangement is disclosed. The swath flap arrangement includes a swath flap that is supported for movement by a support structure between a raised position and a lowered position. The swath flap is configured to at least partially shape a windrow of a crop material. A method includes receiving, by a processor of a control system from a memory element, a stored position setting that corresponds to a position of the swath flap relative to the support structure. The method further includes processing, by the processor, a positioning control signal based, at least in part, on the stored position setting. Also, the method includes moving, with an actuator, the swath flap relative to the support structure between the raised position and the lowered position according to the positioning control signal.

Abstract: A work vehicle system includes at least one harvesting work vehicle with a harvesting arrangement. The harvesting arrangement is one of a conditioning arrangement configured to condition a crop material and a windrowing arrangement configured to form a windrow of the crop material. A method includes receiving, by a processor of a control system from a memory element, a stored setting for a variable parameter of the harvesting arrangement. The method also includes processing, by the processor, a control signal based, at least in part, on the stored setting. Furthermore, the method includes changing, with an actuator, the variable parameter of the harvesting arrangement according to the control signal.

Abstract: A forming shield arrangement configured for a windrowing work vehicle is supported for movement by a support structure. The forming shield arrangement is configured to at least partly shape a windrow of a crop material. A method of operating the forming shield arrangement includes receiving, by a processor of a control system from a memory element, a stored position setting that corresponds to a position of the forming shield arrangement relative to the support structure. The method also includes processing, by the processor, a positioning control signal based, at least in part, on the stored position setting. Moreover, the method includes changing, with an actuator, the position of the forming shield arrangement according to the positioning control signal.

Abstract: A crop forming assembly having a top plate with a first side and a second side, an arc-shaped cutout defined through the top plate, a forming shield pivotally coupled to the top plate and positioned on the second side, and a motor removably coupled to the top plate and configured to engage the forming shield. Wherein, the motor engages the forming shield to reposition the forming shield along the arc-shaped cutout.

Abstract: A steering system is provided for an agricultural vehicle having steerable wheels of a first wheel set, first and second steerable wheels of a second wheel set, and a steering input device configured to receive a manual steering input for the wheels of the first wheel set. The steering system includes first and second hydraulic steering devices coupled to the first and second steerable wheels of the second wheel set; a valve assembly configured to hydraulically control the hydraulic steering devices to steer the wheels of the second wheel set; and a controller configured to determine steering commands and provide the steering commands to the valve assembly. In a rear stability mode, the valve assembly is configured to selectively dampen fluid flow between the first and second hydraulic steering devices.

Abstract: A system for forecasting the drying of an agricultural crop includes an electronic processor configured to receive weather data associated with an agricultural field and receive an agricultural field parameter from a field sensor associated with the agricultural field. The electronic processor is also configured to determine a drying score for each of a plurality of harvest times based on the weather data and the agricultural field parameter. The electronic processor is also configured to determine a recommended harvest time for harvesting the agricultural crop based on the drying score, wherein the recommended harvest time is included in the plurality of harvest times. The electronic processor is also configured to output a forecast for the agricultural crop for display to a user, wherein the forecast includes the drying score and the recommended harvest time for harvesting the agricultural crop.

Abstract: A mower-conditioner assembly of a self-propelled windrower includes a frame, a cutting mechanism coupled to the frame for cutting crop, a conditioner rotatably coupled to the frame at a location rearward of the cutting mechanism, and a fluffer assembly rotatably coupled to the frame at a location rearward of the conditioner. The fluffer assembly includes at least an elongated roll and a crop moving element. The conditioner crimps the crop after it is cut, and the fluffer assembly fluffs or moves the crop during operation.

Abstract: A work vehicle for working a swath of crop has at least one ground-engaging wheel or track mounted to the work vehicle and movable in a travel direction along a tread path. A first redistribution device is mounted to the work vehicle to move crop that is ahead of the at least one ground-engaging wheel or track relative to the travel direction. A second redistribution device is mounted to the work vehicle to move crop that is behind the at least one ground-engaging wheel or track relative to the travel direction. The first redistribution device is configured to open the swath of crop along substantially only the tread path ahead of the at least one ground-engaging wheel or track relative to the travel direction, and the second redistribution device is configured to close the swath of crop along the tread path behind the at least one ground-engaging wheel or track relative to the travel direction.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment, an agricultural vehicle may include first and second harvesting devices connected to the agricultural vehicle. The agricultural vehicle may include a sensor which detects whether the agricultural vehicle is traveling in an operational or non-operational direction. The agricultural vehicle may include a lift controller in communication with the sensor and the first and second harvesting devices. The lift controller may automatically reposition the first and second harvesting devices into non-operating positions when the lift controller determines an intention to move the agricultural vehicle in a non-operational direction.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a hydraulic drive system includes determining a forward park position value, a reverse park position value, an initial forward position value, and an initial reverse position value of a control device and using these values to calculate a forward buffer value and a reverse buffer value. The forward buffer value and the reverse buffer value are used to determine an adjustment amount for the drive system. The adjustment amount can be used to properly adjust a drive system to avoid system errors.

Abstract: A pressure control system is described for a vehicle having a hydraulically actuated header. The system may include a hydraulic lifting circuit for raising and lowering the header, a hydraulic float circuit for floating the header, and a drain tank. A lifting circuit control valve may be configured to control drainage of hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic lifting circuit to the drain tank. A float circuit control valve may be configured to control drainage of hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic float circuit to the drain tank. A user interface may be configured to receive one or more inputs to control drainage of hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic circuits. Based upon the one or more inputs, at least one of the control valves may be opened, in order to depressurize, respectively, one of the hydraulic circuits.

Abstract: A mower blade speed control system with an electronic control unit providing engine speed commands to an internal combustion engine having a maximum power speed and a reduced economy speed, and a continuously variable transmission with variable displacement providing rotational power from the engine to a plurality of mower blades. The electronic control unit monitors engine load and automatically adjusts engine speed and the displacement of the continuously variable transmission in response to engine load to achieve a constant rotational speed of a plurality of mower blades at different engine speeds.

Abstract: A windrower with a frame at a front end of the windrower and a cab coupled to the frame. The cab has a plurality of controls disposed in the cab for controlling the windrower. The windrower also has a lift arm with a first end and a second end, the first end being pivotally coupled to the frame, wherein the lift arm includes a transverse bend defined at a location between the first and second ends. A first coupler is coupled to the second end of the lift arm and a second coupler coupled to the lift arm between the first and second ends. The first coupler is configured to couple the frame to a rotary-style head and the second coupler is configure to couple the frame to a draper-style head.

Abstract: A mower blade speed control system with an electronic control unit providing engine speed commands to an internal combustion engine having a maximum power speed and a reduced economy speed, and a continuously variable transmission with variable displacement providing rotational power from the engine to a plurality of mower blades. The electronic control unit monitors engine load and automatically adjusts engine speed and the displacement of the continuously variable transmission in response to engine load to achieve a constant rotational speed of a plurality of mower blades at different engine speeds.

Abstract: A steering system and method is described for a vehicle having steerable front and rear wheels, and a steering input device for receiving manual steering input. Front and rear hydraulic steering devices may be coupled, respectively, to the front and rear wheels. Front and rear valve assemblies may be configured, respectively, to steer the front and rear wheels. In a manual steering mode, the front valve assembly may be disabled with respect to the front steering device, and the front hydraulic steering device may steer the front wheels based upon the manual steering input. In a rear steering assist mode, a rear steering command may be determined based upon the manual steering input, and the rear wheels steered based upon the rear steering command. In an automated steering mode, the front and rear wheels may be automatically steered based upon a target path of travel for the vehicle.

Abstract: A steering system and method are described for a vehicle having steerable front and rear wheels. A rear hydraulic steering device may be coupled to one or more of the rear wheels. A rear valve assembly may hydraulically control the rear hydraulic steering device to steer the rear wheels based upon a rear steering command. In a rear steering assist mode, the rear steering command may be determined based upon a manual steering input received at a steering input device. In an automated steering mode, the rear steering command may be determined based upon a target path of the agricultural vehicle that is determined independently of the manual steering input.

Abstract: A steering system is described for a vehicle having steerable wheels. A hydraulic charge pressure circuit may be configured to provide charge pressure to one or more hydraulic components of the vehicle and a hydraulic drive pressure circuit may be configured to provide working pressure to one or more other hydraulic components of the vehicle. Hydraulic machines may rotate front wheels in order to drive the vehicle, and a front valve assembly may control steering of the front wheels by controlling the hydraulic machines. The hydraulic machines may be driven to rotate the front wheels by the working pressure from the hydraulic drive pressure circuit, and the front valve assembly may control the front hydraulic machines to steer the agricultural vehicle by controlling flow of hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic charge pressure circuit through the front valve assembly.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment, an agricultural vehicle may include first and second harvesting devices connected to the agricultural vehicle. The agricultural vehicle may include a sensor which detects whether the agricultural vehicle is traveling in an operational or non-operational direction. The agricultural vehicle may include a lift controller in communication with the sensor and the first and second harvesting devices. The lift controller may automatically reposition the first and second harvesting devices into non-operating positions when the lift controller determines an intention to move the agricultural vehicle in a non-operational direction.