Abstract: A harvesting machine includes a measuring device for capturing the throughput of collected and/or processed crops. The measuring device having a measuring surface which acts together with the crop material and is supported movably at a support point in such a manner that its position depends on the throughput of the crop material, and an optical position capturing device for capturing the position of the measuring surface. Preferably the support is a solid body articulation (42) and the position capturing device is a laser interferometer.

Abstract: A crop measuring arrangement is arranged on a harvesting vehicle to interact with a material that is to be investigated in order to detect at least one component of the material, and that can be fastened to a vehicle by means of a retaining arrangement, so that the measuring arrangement can be operated in the condition in which it is fastened to the retaining arrangement in order to analyze material handled and/or processed by means of the vehicle. The retaining arrangement for securing the measuring arrangement to the vehicle is constructed so that the measuring arrangement can be easily separated from the retaining arrangement and used to investigate material in a stationary application.

Abstract: A discharge elbow for a forage harvester. The discharge elbow includes an outer wall and two side walls that extend away from the outer wall. Together, the walls form a guidance for the flow of harvested crop ejected by the forage harvester. The discharge elbow includes an optical sensor for determining the material contents of the harvested crop. The sensor interacts with the harvested crop through an opening in the outer wall. The side walls converge towards the outer wall over at least the partial length of the discharge elbow adjoining the opening. The flow of crop is thus concentrated so that the material content of the harvested crop can be determined even at low throughput values.

Abstract: A spectrometric measuring head for harvesting machines and other agricultural equipment comprises a housing with a window, in which a light source, a spectrometer arrangement and at least two standards for internal recalibration are provided. The standards can optionally be swiveled in the optical path of the measuring head such that the entire measuring light coming from the light source is used for recalibration. A processor that captures and processes the measured values and an interface to a bus system are arranged in the housing.

Abstract: A measurement device for detecting agricultural crops located within a conveyor channel. The measurement device includes a light-transmitting panel positioned adjacent to the conveyor channel and is configured to be movable between an operational position and a cleaning position. The measurement device includes a sensor positioned with respect to the light-transmitting panel so as to detect the agricultural crops in the conveyor channel through the light-transmitting panel. A harvesting machine is particularly adapted to utilize the measurement device.

Abstract: An arrangement for the automatic adjustment of the cut height of a front harvesting attachment on a harvesting machine for the harvesting of stalk-like plants. A controller is connected to a sensor and to an actuator that can adjust the cut height of the front harvesting attachment based on the detection by the sensor of at least one characteristic of the harvested crop material and can be repositioned as a function of the signal of the sensor.

Abstract: A high-capacity harvesting machine includes a first harvested crop take-up arrangement attached to the front of the harvesting machine and a first harvested crop processing arrangement arranged within the harvesting machine to which crop harvested by the first harvested crop take-up arrangement can be conveyed. A second harvested crop take-up arrangement is provided that is separated by a space from the first harvested crop take-up arrangement arranged offset to the side and to the rear in the direction of operation from the first harvested crop take-up arrangement, and the crop harvested by the second harvested crop take-up arrangement can be conveyed to the second harvested crop processing arrangement arranged within the harvesting machine. In the case where the crop processing arrangements are choppers, there is provided a central discharge arrangement to which the crop from both processing arrangements can be conveyed.

Abstract: A discharge arrangement of an agricultural harvesting machine comprises a retaining arrangement, a housing removably mounted onto the retaining arrangement, and a measuring device mounted within the housing. The measuring device is adapted to detect properties of the harvested crop. A cover arrangement is pivotably mounted onto the retaining arrangement to enclose the housing and the measuring device such that the housing and the measuring device are positioned between the cover arrangement and the discharge arrangement.

Abstract: A harvesting machine includes a pick-up unit for picking up the harvested crop, a cutting device that is equipped with at least one cutting edge that cooperates with a counter-cutter for cutting and/or chopping the harvested crop, and a monitoring device, which can be operated to generate a signal containing information about the sharpness of the edge and/or its distance to the counter-cutter, with the sharpness and distance each being compared to a target value. The monitoring device receives signals generated by an optical sensor, which visually monitors the cutting device and/or the cut harvested crop, wherein the signal of said sensor is used so that the monitoring device can deduce information about the sharpness of the edge and/or its distance to a counter-cutter, and send out a control signal for effecting automatic sharpening of the cutting edge and/or adjustment of the counter-cutter.

Abstract: An arrangement for the withdrawal of samples from a flow of harvested crop flowing in a conveying channel in a harvesting machine includes a guide element mounted so as to cover a sample withdrawal opening provided in a wall of the channel. The guide element is mounted for movement between a first position wherein it blocks the withdrawal opening, and in a second position wherein it opens the withdrawal opening and includes a region that is inserted into the conveying channel so as to forcibly deflect a crop sample through the withdrawal opening.

Abstract: The entire right, title and interest in and to this application and all subject matter disclosed and/or claimed therein, including any and all divisions, continuations, reissues, etc., thereof are, effective as of the date of execution of this application, assigned, transferred, sold and set over by the applicant(s) named herein to Deere & Company, a Delaware corporation having offices at Moline, Ill. 61265, U.S.A., together with all rights to file, and to claim priorities in connection with, corresponding patent applications in any and all foreign countries in the name of Deere & Company or otherwise.

Abstract: A harvesting machine includes a pick-up unit for picking up the harvested crop, a cutting device that is equipped with at least one cutting edge that cooperates with a counter-cutter for cutting and/or chopping the harvested crop, and a monitoring device, which can be operated to generate a signal containing information about the sharpness of the edge and/or its distance to the counter-cutter, with the sharpness and distance each being compared to a target value. The monitoring device receives signals generated by an optical sensor, which visually monitors the cutting device and/or the cut harvested crop, wherein the signal of said sensor is used so that the monitoring device can deduce information about the sharpness of the edge and/or its distance to a counter-cutter, and send out a control signal for effecting automatic sharpening of the cutting edge and/or adjustment of the counter-cutter.

Abstract: A high-capacity harvesting machine includes a first harvested crop take-up arrangement attached to the front of the harvesting machine and a first harvested crop processing arrangement arranged within the harvesting machine to which crop harvested by the first harvested crop take-up arrangement can be conveyed. A second harvested crop take-up arrangement is provided that is separated by a space from the first harvested crop take-up arrangement arranged offset to the side and to the rear in the direction of operation from the first harvested crop take-up arrangement, and the crop harvested by the second harvested crop take-up arrangement can be conveyed to the second harvested crop processing arrangement arranged within the harvesting machine. In the case where the crop processing arrangements are choppers, there is provided a central discharge arrangement to which the crop from both processing arrangements can be conveyed.

Abstract: The invention concerns an arrangement for the withdrawal of samples from a flow of harvested crop flowing in a conveying channel in a harvesting machine. A guide element is proposed that includes a region that can be inserted into the conveying channel. Thereby, the harvested crop is forcibly deflected for the withdrawal of a sample.

Abstract: A system for documenting the operation of an attached implement for a self-propelled working machine. An operating parameter detection arrangement is arranged to detect an operating parameter of the attached implement and to transmit an operating parameter signal to a memory. The memory receives the operating parameter signal and stores the operating parameter signal.

Abstract: A self-propelled crop harvester or one of the train of towing vehicle and towed implement for processing harvested crop are equipped with a measuring device for the measurement of components in and/or properties of harvested crop that is conveyed along a path and/or along which the measuring device is moved. The measuring device is an optical spectroscope which operates in the visible wavelength range and/or in the near infrared wavelength range. Measurements made are used to determine the amount of particular organic components contained in the harvested crop, such as carbohydrates, organic substances that can be dissolved in enzymes, oil and raw protein; and to determine the amount of non-organic components contained in the harvested crop, such as minerals, for example sodium and magnesium or water. Further parameters of the harvested crop are also measured including solid matter and raw fiber content, length of fibers, caloric or energy content, digestibility and color.

Abstract: A large round baler is equipped with sensors for measuring the location of harvest, and/or various physical characteristics, of crop material being placed in a specific bale, with these parameters being electronically recorded and stored in memory on an electronic storage medium. In order to be able to associate the location and measured values with the individual bale to which the values pertain, a device is provided by which the electronic storage medium may be inserted in, or attached to, the bale.