Abstract: A method for sharpening cutting knives carried by a cutter drum in a housing of an agricultural vehicle includes: rotating the cutter drum while keeping a sharpening door closed so an overpressure is created inside the housing, the sharpening door shielding a sharpening stone from the cutting knives while creating the overpressure; opening a transition door of the housing below the cutter drum to eject crop material through the open transition door; opening the sharpening door to expose the cutting knives to the sharpening stone and closing the transition door; grinding one or more of the cutting knives with the exposed sharpening stone; and closing the sharpening door to shield the sharpening stone from the cutting knives after grinding.

Abstract: A method for sharpening cutting knives carried by a cutter drum in a housing of an agricultural vehicle includes: rotating the cutter drum while keeping a sharpening door closed so an overpressure is created inside the housing, the sharpening door shielding a sharpening stone from the cutting knives while creating the overpressure; opening a transition door of the housing below the cutter drum to eject crop material through the open transition door; opening the sharpening door to expose the cutting knives to the sharpening stone and closing the transition door; grinding one or more of the cutting knives with the exposed sharpening stone; and closing the sharpening door to shield the sharpening stone from the cutting knives after grinding.

Abstract: A moisture sensor for a forage harvester is described, the moisture sensor comprising a sensing device, a processing unit and an output terminal. The sensing device is configured to sense an electrical characteristic of a harvested crop and generate a sensor signal representative of the electrical characteristic. The processing unit is configured to receive the sensor signal from the sensing device and to process the sensor signal to derive a moisture level of the harvested crop. The output terminal is connected to the processing unit for outputting an output signal representative of the moisture level as derived by the processing unit. Each operating mode for the sensing device having a different moisture level sensitivity characteristic, and receiving an operating parameter and selecting an operating mode of the plurality of operating modes for the sensing device, based on the operating parameter.

Abstract: A moisture sensor for a forage harvester is described, the moisture sensor comprising a sensing device, a processing unit and an output terminal. The sensing device is configured to sense an electrical characteristic of a harvested crop and generate a sensor signal representative of the electrical characteristic. The processing unit is configured to receive the sensor signal from the sensing device and to process the sensor signal to derive a moisture level of the harvested crop. The output terminal is connected to the processing unit for outputting an output signal representative of the moisture level as derived by the processing unit. Each operating mode for the sensing device having a different moisture level sensitivity characteristic, and receiving an operating parameter and selecting an operating mode of the plurality of operating modes for the sensing device, based on the operating parameter.

Abstract: A method of cruise control for a harvester automatically monitors certain operating conditions of the harvester and responsively sets an engine speed value adequate to meet predicted torque demand, and, but not necessarily, automatically varies a propulsion speed of the harvester as required to match the torque demand to the available torque to increase efficiency, and has particular applicability to a sugar cane harvester. Monitored conditions can include certain characteristics or parameters of a pump or pumps powering fluid operated systems of the harvester, in particular, propulsion and harvesting systems. Other conditions can include intake air temperature, coolant, and hydraulic fluid temperature. Rate of change of one or more of the conditions can be used for setting the engine speed and to predict the torque demand.

Abstract: A method of cruise control for a harvester automatically monitors certain operating conditions of the harvester and responsively sets an engine speed value adequate to meet predicted torque demand, and, but not necessarily, automatically varies a propulsion speed of the harvester as required to match the torque demand to the available torque to increase efficiency, and has particular applicability to a sugar cane harvester. Monitored conditions can include certain characteristics or parameters of a pump or pumps powering fluid operated systems of the harvester, in particular, propulsion and harvesting systems. Other conditions can include intake air temperature, coolant, and hydraulic fluid temperature. Rate of change of one or more of the conditions can be used for setting the engine speed and to predict the torque demand.