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 self-propelled forage harvester is provided with a throughput measurement device comprising a computer which makes use of respective signals representative of the displacement of a movable upper pre-compression roll relative to a fixed lower pre-compression roll, of the speed of the lower roll, and of the force exerted by the mat of crop passing between the rolls on the upper roll once the upper roll reaches its upper limit position in the calculation of the crop throughput value. An additional input signal that may be used in the calculation of the crop throughput is generated by a light barrier which determines whether or not any crop is exiting the discharge chute of the forage harvester, this signal causing the throughput calculation to indicate zero throughput when no crop is exiting and causing the calculation to indicate a minimum amount when the upper pre-compression roll is in its lower limit position with crop being sensed exiting the discharge chute.

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.