Abstract: An impact sensor system for a header of an agricultural system includes a first sensor vibrationally connected to a deck plate of the header, wherein the first sensor is configured to generate first signals in response to detection of vibrations due to initial contact between a crop and the deck plate of the header. The impact sensor system also includes a second sensor vibrationally connected to the deck plate of the header and positioned forward of the first sensor, wherein the second sensor is configured to generate second signals in response to detection of the vibrations due to the initial contact between the crop and the deck plate of the header.

Abstract: An agricultural system includes a header having a row unit with a feed roller configured to engage a crop and to pull a stalk of the crop toward the field. The header also includes a conveyor configured to receive a desirable crop material of the crop from the row unit and to direct the desirable crop material of the crop toward an inlet of the agricultural system. The header further includes a sensor system configured to detect presence of material other than grain (MOG) proximate to or at the conveyor.

Abstract: An agricultural system includes a header with a feed roller configured to engage a crop and to drive material other than grain (MOG) of the crop toward a field. The agricultural system also includes a chopper configured to cut the MOG driven toward the field by the feed roller for discharge from the agricultural system and a control system configured to output a control signal to adjust a speed of the chopper relative to a speed of the feed roller based on a size of the MOG discharged from the agricultural system.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically adjusting one or more parameters of a header of an agricultural harvester for gathering a crop and feeding the crop into a feeder housing includes receiving, from one or more sensors, a signal indicative of a position of a conveyor idler of a conveyor of the feeder housing over time. The system and method also includes providing one or more control signals to adjust the one or more parameters of the header based on variation of the position of the conveyor idler over time.

Abstract: A method for controlling crop material speed through a rotor/cage assembly of an agricultural combine. The method includes the steps of monitoring a grain loss of the combine and adjusting an orientation of a vane coupled to the cage responsive to the grain loss, a cleaning system load and/or a straw length.

Abstract: A method for controlling crop material speed through a rotor/cage assembly of an agricultural combine. The method includes the steps of monitoring a grain loss of the combine and adjusting an orientation of a vane coupled to the cage responsive to the grain loss, a cleaning system load and/or a straw length.

Abstract: A method for controlling crop material speed through a rotor/cage assembly of an agricultural combine. The method includes the steps of monitoring a grain loss of the combine; computing an engine power reserve value; and adjusting an orientation of a vane coupled to the cage responsive to the engine power reserve value and to the grain loss, a cleaning system load and/or a straw length.

Abstract: An adjustable gathering chain assembly for a header of an agricultural harvester includes a drive unit, a driven unit spaced from and movable with respect to the drive unit and an endless gathering chain extending between the drive unit and the driven unit. An adjustment unit including an idler member in engagement with the gathering chain is operable to move the idler member with respect to the drive unit in order to move the driven unit between first and second positions relative to the drive unit whereby the header may effectively harvest both standing crop and downed or lodged crop depending on harvesting conditions.

Abstract: A tailings conveyance including a housing having a front plate, a back plate, and a wall, and is adapted to recycle tailings through a cleaning system of a combine using at least one impeller. The wall of the housing describes an arc near the impeller paddles over a segment of a circle described by the circumference of the impeller. The wall further continues on a tangent away from the circle at a point of tangency. A sensor is positioned proximate to the point of tangency, and senses whether a space between the front plate and the back plate directly adjacent to the sensor is obscured by tailings as the impeller rotates. A controller or control system connected to the sensor calculates an amount or percentage of time the space between the front plate and the back plate directly adjacent to the sensor is obscured by tailings as the impeller rotates.

Abstract: A tailings conveyance including a housing having a front plate, a back plate, and a wall, and is adapted to recycle tailings through a cleaning system of a combine using at least one impeller. The wall of the housing describes an arc near the impeller paddles over a segment of a circle described by the circumference of the impeller. The wall further continues on a tangent away from the circle at a point of tangency. A sensor is positioned proximate to the point of tangency, and senses whether a space between the front plate and the back plate directly adjacent to the sensor is obscured by tailings as the impeller rotates. A controller or control system connected to the sensor calculates an amount or percentage of time the space between the front plate and the back plate directly adjacent to the sensor is obscured by tailings as the impeller rotates.

Abstract: A method for controlling crop material speed through a rotor/cage assembly of an agricultural combine. The method includes the steps of monitoring a grain loss of the combine; computing an engine power reserve value; and adjusting an orientation of a vane coupled to the cage responsive to the engine power reserve value and to the grain loss, a cleaning system load and/or a straw length.

Abstract: An adjustable gathering chain assembly for a header of an agricultural harvester is disclosed as is a header including such an assembly and methods for adjusting the length of the gathering chain assembly. The assembly includes a drive unit, a driven unit spaced from and movable with respect to the drive unit and an endless gathering chain extending between the drive unit and the driven unit. An adjustment unit including an idler member in engagement with the gathering chain is operable to move the idler member with respect to the drive unit in order to move the driven unit between first and second positions relative to the drive unit whereby the header may effectively harvest both standing crop and downed or lodged crop depending on harvesting conditions.

Abstract: An adjustable gathering chain assembly includes a drive unit, a driven unit spaced from and movable with respect to the drive unit and an endless gathering chain extending between the drive unit and the driven unit. An adjustment unit including an idler member in engagement with the gathering chain is operable to move the idler member with respect to the drive unit in order to move the driven unit between first and second positions relative to the drive unit whereby the header may effectively harvest both standing crop and downed or lodged crop depending on harvesting conditions.

Abstract: An adjustable gathering chain assembly for a header of an agricultural harvester is disclosed as is a header including such an assembly and methods for adjusting the length of the gathering chain assembly. The assembly includes a drive unit, a driven unit spaced from and movable with respect to the drive unit and an endless gathering chain extending between the drive unit and the driven unit. An adjustment unit including an idler member in engagement with the gathering chain is operable to move the idler member with respect to the drive unit in order to move the driven unit between first and second positions relative to the drive unit whereby the header may effectively harvest both standing crop and downed or lodged crop depending on harvesting conditions.