Abstract: Systems, methods and machines are provided for determining a free-running pressure of a machine. The method can include receiving a measurement of a temperature of a hydraulic fluid within a hydraulic circuit of the machine, the hydraulic circuit including a hydraulic motor configured to pump the hydraulic fluid through the hydraulic circuit; receiving a measurement of a first pressure of the hydraulic fluid at a first point within the hydraulic circuit; and determining the free-running pressure of the hydraulic motor based on the temperature of the hydraulic fluid.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining a material density of a harvested crop. The method includes receiving a measurement of a first throughput signal; receiving a measurement of a second throughput signal, wherein the second throughput signal is more sensitive to changes in material density than the first throughput signal; comparing the first throughput signal to the second throughput signal; and determining a material density index value based on the comparison of the first throughput signal to the second throughput signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for stabilizing a header of a combine harvester are provided. A vertical disturbance signal indicative of a vertical disturbance on the header and a lateral tilt disturbance signal indicative of a lateral tilt disturbance on the header are received from one or more sensors disposed on the header. A compensated vertical displacement value is determined based on the vertical disturbance signal and a compensated lateral tilt displacement value is determined based on the lateral tilt disturbance signal. One or more control signals are transmitted to one or more actuators to vertically displace the header based on the compensated vertical displacement value to compensate for the vertical disturbance and to rotationally displace the header about a pivot joint based on the compensated lateral tilt disturbance signal to compensate for the lateral tilt disturbance.

Abstract: Systems and methods for calculating a plant spread and a plant density of vegetation are provided. An ultrasonic signal is transmitted towards vegetation by one or more transducers. A plurality of echo signals is received as reflections of the ultrasonic signal by the one or more transducers. A plant spread of the vegetation is calculated based on a first echo signal of the plurality of echo signals and a last echo signal of the plurality of echo signals. A plant density of the vegetation is calculated based on the plurality of echo signals. The plant spread and the plant density of the vegetation are output.

Abstract: Systems and methods for stabilizing a header of a combine harvester are provided. A vertical disturbance signal indicative of a vertical disturbance on the header and a lateral tilt disturbance signal indicative of a lateral tilt disturbance on the header are received from one or more sensors disposed on the header. A compensated vertical displacement value is determined based on the vertical disturbance signal and a compensated lateral tilt displacement value is determined based on the lateral tilt disturbance signal. One or more control signals are transmitted to one or more actuators to vertically displace the header based on the compensated vertical displacement value to compensate for the vertical disturbance and to rotationally displace the header about a pivot joint based on the compensated lateral tilt disturbance signal to compensate for the lateral tilt disturbance.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining a soil roughness measure. A transducer transmits an ultrasonic signal towards a soil surface and receives a first echo signal of the ultrasonic signal and a second echo signal of the ultrasonic signal. A first distance between the transducer and a first point on the soil surface is calculated based on the first echo signal of the ultrasonic signal. A second distance between the transducer and a second point on the soil surface is calculated based on the second echo signal of the ultrasonic signal. A soil roughness measure of the soil surface is determined based on a difference between the first distance and the second distance.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining a soil roughness measure. A transducer transmits an ultrasonic signal towards a soil surface and receives a first echo signal of the ultrasonic signal and a second echo signal of the ultrasonic signal. A first distance between the transducer and a first point on the soil surface is calculated based on the first echo signal of the ultrasonic signal. A second distance between the transducer and a second point on the soil surface is calculated based on the second echo signal of the ultrasonic signal. A soil roughness measure of the soil surface is determined based on a difference between the first distance and the second distance.

Abstract: A positioning system, for a boom having right and left boom arms, comprises: a first actuator for moving the right boom arm relative to a support frame; a second actuator for moving the left boom arm relative to a support frame; a first hydraulic link between the first and second actuators; and a hydraulic control device for controlling movement of hydraulic fluid within the first hydraulic link, thereby controlling extension and/or retraction of the first and second actuators.

Abstract: A control system for a suspended boom sprayer of a vehicle comprises: first and second sensors each configured to be disposed on respective first and second boom wings of the suspended boom sprayer and to provide an output responsive to a rotation of the first and second wings caused by a disturbance torque; a processor, configured to determine a differential acceleration between the first and second wings based on the outputs of the respective sensors, and to determine the disturbance torque corresponding to the differential acceleration; and at least one actuator, controllable to move one or both of the first and second wings in order to counter the disturbance torque.

Abstract: A control system for a suspended boom sprayer of a vehicle comprises: first and second sensors each configured to be disposed on respective first and second boom wings of the suspended boom sprayer and to provide an output responsive to a rotation of the first and second wings caused by a disturbance torque; a processor, configured to determine a differential acceleration between the first and second wings based on the outputs of the respective sensors, and to determine the disturbance torque corresponding to the differential acceleration; and at least one actuator, controllable to move one or both of the first and second wings in order to counter the disturbance torque.

Abstract: A positioning system, for a boom having right and left boom arms, comprises: a first actuator for moving the right boom arm relative to a support frame; a second actuator for moving the left boom arm relative to a support frame; a first hydraulic link between the first and second actuators; and a hydraulic control device for controlling movement of hydraulic fluid within the first hydraulic link, thereby controlling extension and/or retraction of the first and second actuators.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a height of an agricultural equipment component is provided. An average crop height is determined. In one embodiment, the agricultural equipment component is controlled to maintain a predetermined distance from a current top of crop level. If a current top of crop level cannot be determined, a virtual top of crop level is calculated using the average crop height value. The agricultural equipment component is controlled to maintain a predetermined distance from the virtual top of crop level. In another embodiment, the agricultural equipment component is controlled to maintain a predetermined distance from current ground level. If a current ground level cannot be determined, a virtual ground level is calculated using the average crop height value. The agricultural equipment component is controlled to maintain a predetermined distance from said virtual ground level. An ultrasonic sensor is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a height of an agricultural equipment component is provided. An average crop height is determined. In one embodiment, the agricultural equipment component is controlled to maintain a predetermined distance from a current top of crop level. If a current top of crop level cannot be determined, a virtual top of crop level is calculated using the average crop height value. The agricultural equipment component is controlled to maintain a predetermined distance from the virtual top of crop level. In another embodiment, the agricultural equipment component is controlled to maintain a predetermined distance from current ground level. If a current ground level cannot be determined, a virtual ground level is calculated using the average crop height value. The agricultural equipment component is controlled to maintain a predetermined distance from said virtual ground level. An ultrasonic sensor is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the displacement of visco-elastoplastic media below a surface thereof comprises an upper plate mounted such that a displacement force exerted on the top surface thereof will move the upper plate a displacement distance downward toward a base. Guides maintain the upper plate and the base in alignment such that movement is along a displacement axis. A calibrated bias element exerts a calibrated bias force resisting movement of the upper plate toward the base. A displacement measuring device measures the displacement distance, and is operative to generate a movement signal corresponding to the displacement distance. A data acquisition system is operative to receive and record the movement signal, and calculate the displacement force exerted on the top surface of the upper plate required to move the upper plate the displacement distance against the calibrated bias force.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the displacement of visco-elastoplastic media below a surface thereof comprises an upper plate mounted such that a displacement force exerted on the top surface thereof will move the upper plate a displacement distance downward toward a base. Guides maintain the upper plate and the base in alignment such that movement is along a displacement axis. A calibrated bias element exerts a calibrated bias force resisting movement of the upper plate toward the base. A displacement measuring device measures the displacement distance, and is operative to generate a movement signal corresponding to the displacement distance. A data acquisition system is operative to receive and record the movement signal, and calculate the displacement force exerted on the top surface of the upper plate required to move the upper plate the displacement distance against the calibrated bias force.