Abstract: A header positioning system for controlling a position of a header for a combine harvester. The header positioning system including a controller that is configured to receive signals corresponding to (i) a measured inclination of either the header or the combine, (ii) a measured ground speed of the header or the combine, and (iii) a measured height of the header with respect to ground. The controller is further configured to adjust a height and a pitch of the header as a function of the inclination, measured ground speed and the measured height.

Abstract: An agricultural system includes a header having a row unit with a feed roller configured to engage a crop and to pull a stalk of the crop toward the field. The header also includes a conveyor configured to receive a desirable crop material of the crop from the row unit and to direct the desirable crop material of the crop toward an inlet of the agricultural system. The header further includes a sensor system configured to detect presence of material other than grain (MOG) proximate to or at the conveyor.

Abstract: A header for an agricultural system includes a plurality of row units distributed across a width of the header, one or more sensors coupled to the header and configured to generate respective signals indicative of a plurality of objects in an area proximate the header, and a controller comprising a memory and a processor. The one or more sensors are oriented such that a field of view of the one or more sensors comprises an area forward of the header relative to a direction of travel of the header and above the header relative to a soil surface, and the controller is configured to receive the respective signals from the one or more sensors coupled to the header and process the respective signals to determine an amount of butt-shelling occurring on the header.

Abstract: A stubble lean detection system for an agricultural harvester includes a controller having a memory and a processor. The controller is configured to receive a sensor signal indicative of an image of stubble within an agricultural field. The controller is also configured to determine whether an aggregate direction of lean of the stubble is forward, rearward, or mixed based on the image. Furthermore, the controller is configured to output an information signal to a user interface indicative of instructions to inform an operator of the aggregate direction of lean.

Abstract: An agricultural system includes a header with a feed roller configured to engage a crop and to drive material other than grain (MOG) of the crop toward a field. The agricultural system also includes a chopper configured to cut the MOG driven toward the field by the feed roller for discharge from the agricultural system and a control system configured to output a control signal to adjust a speed of the chopper relative to a speed of the feed roller based on a size of the MOG discharged from the agricultural system.

Abstract: An impact detection system for a header of an agricultural system includes a first camera coupled to the agricultural system and configured to capture imagery of at least one row unit of the header. The impact detection system also includes a controller configured to utilize computer vision techniques to identify a portion of a crop in the imagery and to determine a location of initial contact of the portion of the crop at the header based on the imagery.

Abstract: A header for an agricultural harvester including a continuous loop knife and a sensor for sensing conditions of a plurality of knives of the continuous loop knife in increments comprising non-adjacent groups of one or more knives, whereby substantially all of the plurality of knives is sensed after a plurality of cycles of the continuous knife past the sensor. With the header so equipped, a timely determination of wear or damage to the knives in a loop knife cutting system can be made, so that damaged knives may be replaced before significant deterioration of the cutting performance occurs.

Abstract: A system for controlling harvesting implement height of an agricultural harvester may include a computing system configured to monitor the height of a harvesting implement of the harvester relative to a field surface based on the received sensor data. Additionally, the computing system may be configured to determine an implement height error signal by comparing the monitored height of the harvesting implement to a predetermined target height. Moreover, the computing system is configured to divide the determined implement height error signal into a first and second frequency portions, with the second frequency portion having a greater frequency than the first frequency portion. Furthermore, the computing system is configured to control the operation of first and second actuators of the harvester based on the first and second frequency portions of the implement height error signal, respectively.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for visualizing the orientation of a harvesting implement configured for use with an agricultural harvester. The system includes a display device and a computing system communicatively coupled to the display device. The computing system is configured to receive data associated with an orientation of at least one section of the harvesting implement, and cause an implement orientation interface to be presented on the display device. The implement orientation interface includes an implement interface element representing the at least one section of the harvesting implement and at least one curved display indicator positioned relative to the implement interface element, with the at least one curved display indicator providing an indication of the orientation of the at least one section of the harvesting implement.

Abstract: In one aspect, method for automatically identifying sensors provided in association with agricultural equipment includes actuating, with the computing system, agricultural equipment such that an orientation of the agricultural equipment is varied in at least one direction, and receiving, with the computing system, data from a plurality of sensors that is associated with a parameter that changes as the orientation of the agricultural equipment is varied, the plurality of sensors being installed relative to the agricultural equipment at spaced apart locations along the at least one direction. The method also includes identifying, with the computing system, respective locations of the plurality of sensors relative to the agricultural equipment based at least in part on the data.

Abstract: A cutter bar assembly for an agricultural vehicle header includes a cutter bar supported by movable arms extending from a header frame and capable of operation in flex and rigid modes. The support arms are joined to the header frame such that they may be displaced from a raised position in the rigid mode when subjected to a lifting force due to striking an obstacle without damage to the header structure. Also, an agricultural vehicle header and an agricultural combine harvester includes the cutter bar assembly.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting crop field parameters with a header of a harvester. The header includes a reel configured to draw crop from a crop field toward the header as the harvester moves through the crop field and at least one distance sensor mounted to the reel. Data is received from the at least one distance sensor mounted on the reel, processed, and used to detect crop field parameters.

Abstract: A method for dynamically operating a header float system of an agricultural vehicle having a header movably mounted to a frame of the agricultural vehicle by an actuator. The method includes: determining a target ground reaction force between the header and a ground surface located below the header, determining an actual ground reaction force between the header and the ground surface, comparing the actual ground reaction force to the target ground reaction force, and upon determining that the actual ground reaction force differs from the target ground reaction force by a predetermined amount, operating the actuator to reduce a difference in value between the actual ground reaction force and the target ground reaction force. An agricultural vehicle having a header operated as described above is also provided.

Abstract: A control system for an agricultural system includes a first controller configured to receive sensor information from a plurality of sensors, in which the sensor information is indicative of a height of a header of the agricultural system, and the first controller is configured to convert the sensor information into position data. The control system further includes a second controller communicatively coupled to the first controller, in which the second controller is configured to receive the position data from the first controller, and the second controller is configured to determine a target position of the header based on the position data.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the height of a header for use with an agricultural harvester. The header height is controlled by receiving orientation values from a first set of sensors representing orientation of respective support arms of the header, receiving height values from a second set of sensors representing height of the respective support arms with respect to ground, combining the height values and orientation values for each support arm to create a respective multi-sensor value, and controlling the position of the header with respect to the agricultural harvester responsive the multi-sensor value.

Abstract: A system for controlling harvesting implement operation of an agricultural harvester includes a fluid-driven actuator configured to adjust a position of a harvesting implement of the agricultural harvester relative to a feeder housing of the agricultural harvester. Additionally, the system includes a sensor provided in operative association with the fluid-driven actuator, with the sensor configured to capture data indicative of a parameter associated with a force acting on the fluid-driven actuator. Furthermore, the system includes a computing system configured to monitor the parameter relative to a predetermined minimum parameter value. Moreover, when the monitored parameter falls below the predetermined minimum parameter value, the computing system is configured to determine that the harvesting implement has contacted a field surface of a field across which the agricultural harvester is traveling.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer readable media for detecting reel-crop engagement for a header of a harvester. The header includes a reel configured to draw crop from a crop field toward the header as the harvester moves through the crop field and at least one crop detector mounted to the reel. Data is received from the at least one crop detector mounted on the reel, processed, and used to detect reel-crop engagement.

Abstract: A system for controlling harvesting implement operation of an agricultural harvester includes a harvesting implement defining a longitudinal axis extending between a forward end of the harvesting implement and an aft end of the harvesting implement. The harvesting implement is configured to be coupled to the agricultural harvester. Moreover, the harvesting implement includes a frame, a reel, and a cutter bar. A controller is configured to receive a first input indicating that a harvesting operation has ceased. Furthermore, the controller is configured to initiate a first adjustment to at least one of a fore/aft tilt angle defined between the longitudinal axis of the harvesting implement and a field surface, a position of the reel relative to the frame, or a position of the cutter bar relative to the frame upon receipt of the first input.

Abstract: An agricultural system (100) includes a header (112) including a first header segment (220) and a second header segment (222). The agricultural system also includes an actuator (312, 314, 326, 328) configured to adjust a position of the first header segment relative to the second header segment. The agricultural system also includes a controller (224) configured to receive sensor information from a pressure sensor and compare the pressure to a threshold pressure. In some embodiments, the sensor information is indicative of a pressure within a cylinder of the actuator. In certain embodiments, the controller is configured to send instructions to the actuator to adjust the first header segment relative to the second header segment in response to the pressure being below the pressure threshold.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for filtering signal interference from sensors signals includes a header comprising a frame and a powered component supported relative to the frame, and a sensor configured to detect electromagnetic waves indicative of a parameter associated with the header. In addition, the system includes an electronic control unit operably connected to the sensor such that the electronic control unit is configured to receive signals from the sensor associated with the detection of the electromagnetic waves. The electronic control unit is further configured to filter interference from the signals deriving from motion of the powered component relative to the sensor.