Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer-controlled method for adjusting a height of a header reel, the method comprising: measuring a rotational speed of the reel; measuring a force opposing rotation of the reel; determining a target load for the reel based on the measured rotational speed and the measured force and a first input; and causing movement of the reel according to the target load based on a change in load on the reel.

Abstract: A method of measuring a harvested crop includes measuring a first attribute of a first electric field in a first volume containing crop material, measuring a second attribute of a second electric field in a second volume containing crop material, and determining at least two different properties of the crop material based at least in part on the first attribute and the second attribute.

Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a cutting assembly, a forming assembly including a swathboard and/or a forming shield, at least one actuator, and a controller. The actuator is configured to change a position of the forming assembly. The controller is in communication with the actuator, and is configured to change the position of the forming assembly responsive to an expected or measured crop density. A method of operating an agricultural machine includes propelling an agricultural machine through a field and changing a position of the forming assembly based at least in part on an expected or measured crop density. The forming assembly may be adjusted to maintain an approximately constant windrow height or to produce windrows that are expected to be ready for baling or raking at the same time (e.g., after a period of drying).

Abstract: An agricultural machine has a capacitive sensor that includes a transmitter assembly having a signal driver, at least one guard driver, and at least one sensing circuit configured to detect an output of the signal driver. At least one sensing electrode is powered by the signal driver. At least one guard electrode is powered by the guard driver. The guard electrode is oriented such that a first electric field emanating from the sensing electrode is shaped at least in part by a second electric field emanating from the guard electrode. A method includes broadcasting a first electric field from a sensing electrode into a volume containing crop material, broadcasting a second electric field from a guard electrode, measuring an attribute related to the first electric field, and correlating the measured attribute related to the first electric field to a property of the crop material in the volume.

Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a cutting assembly configured to cut a crop material, a forming assembly comprising at least one of a swathboard or a forming shield, at least one actuator configured to change a position of the forming assembly, a sensor configured to detect a yield and a moisture content of the crop material, and a controller in communication with the at least one actuator, wherein the controller is configured to change an operating parameter of the agricultural machine responsive to the detected yield and moisture content. Related methods include propelling the agricultural machine through a field, cutting a crop material with the cutting assembly, detecting a yield and a moisture content of the crop material with the sensor, and changing an operating parameter of the agricultural machine responsive to the detected yield and moisture content.

Abstract: A harvesting header includes a header frame, rotary cutters carried by the header frame, a gearbox containing at least one gear coupled to each rotary cutter, and an electronic sensor to indicate an amount of oil in the gearbox. Each rotary cutter has a rotating disc with at least one blade for cutting crops. An agricultural vehicle includes a vehicle frame, at least one attached to the vehicle frame, and a harvesting header coupled to the vehicle frame by a plurality of hydraulic cylinders. A method of operating an agricultural vehicle includes adjusting at least one hydraulic cylinder to move a header frame to a known orientation, sensing a position of an oil surface in a gearbox, and determining or indicating an amount of oil in the gearbox based at least in part on the position of the oil surface.

Abstract: A dual path agricultural machine including a control system having a number of input sensors, status sensors, and output sensors, and a controller configured to operate the dual path machine in a stability control mode and a selective rear-steer engagement and actuation mode. In the stability control mode, the controller adjusts an actual drive output of the dual path machine according to data received from the input sensors and feedback received from the output sensors so as to reduce a difference between the actual drive output and a desired drive output. In selective rear-steer engagement and actuation mode, the controller engages rear-steer mechanisms with caster wheels of the dual path machine and actuates the caster wheels via the rear-steer mechanisms if a criterion is satisfied. The controller disengages the rear-steer mechanisms from the caster wheels or does not actuate the caster wheels if the criterion is not satisfied.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer-controlled method for adjusting a height of a header reel, the method comprising: measuring a rotational speed of the reel; measuring a force opposing rotation of the reel; determining a target load for the reel based on the measured rotational speed and the measured force and a first input; and causing movement of the reel according to the target load based on a change in load on the reel.

Abstract: A dual path agricultural machine including a control system having a number of input sensors, status sensors, and output sensors, and a controller configured to operate the dual path machine in a stability control mode and a selective rear-steer engagement and actuation mode. In the stability control mode, the controller adjusts an actual drive output of the dual path machine according to data received from the input sensors and feedback received from the output sensors so as to reduce a difference between the actual drive output and a desired drive output. In selective rear-steer engagement and actuation mode, the controller engages rear-steer mechanisms with caster wheels of the dual path machine and actuates the caster wheels via the rear-steer mechanisms if a criterion is satisfied. The controller disengages the rear-steer mechanisms from the caster wheels or does not actuate the caster wheels if the criterion is not satisfied.

Abstract: A dual path agricultural machine including a control system having a number of input sensors, status sensors, and output sensors, and a controller configured to operate the dual path machine in a stability control mode and a selective rear-steer engagement and actuation mode. In the stability control mode, the controller adjusts an actual drive output of the dual path machine according to data received from the input sensors and feedback received from the output sensors so as to reduce a difference between the actual drive output and a desired drive output. In selective rear-steer engagement and actuation mode, the controller engages rear-steer mechanisms with caster wheels of the dual path machine and actuates the caster wheels via the rear-steer mechanisms if a criterion is satisfied. The controller disengages the rear-steer mechanisms from the caster wheels or does not actuate the caster wheels if the criterion is not satisfied.