Abstract: A mower implement includes a cutter bar extending along a central bar axis. A rotating blade assembly is mounted on the cutter bar. The rotating blade assembly includes a disc rotatable about a disc rotation axis relative to the cutter bar, and at least one blade pivotably mounted to the disc. A blade sensor is mounted on the cutter bar. The blade sensor has a sensing field, and is positioned to detect movement of the at least one blade of the rotating blade assembly through the sensing field during each rotation of the disc about the disc rotation axis. A diagnostic controller receives the data signal from the blade sensor and is configured to analysis the blade signal and identify a fault in the rotating blade assembly. The diagnostic controller may then notify an operator of the identified fault.

Abstract: A drawn agricultural implement includes a main frame and a plurality of ground engaging units supporting the main frame from a ground surface. A working unit is supported from the main frame and configured to engage crops as the implement moves in a forward direction across the ground surface. A draft tongue extends from the main frame for attachment to a tractor. A camera having a field of view is mounted on at least one of the draft tongue, the main frame and the working unit. The camera is movable relative to the at least one of the draft tongue, the main frame and the working unit to reposition the field of view.

Abstract: A disc mower for cutting crop material includes a plurality of cutter assemblies attached to a frame. Each of the cutter assemblies includes a respective motor operatively attached to a respective disc for rotating the disc. A cutter controller is operatively coupled to the respective motor of each of the plurality of cutter assemblies for selectively controlling a respective commanded rotational speed of the respective motor of one of the cutter assemblies independently of the respective commanded rotational speed of the respective motor of another of the cutter assemblies. Each of the individual cutter assemblies may be vertically moveable relative to the frame independently of the other of the cutter assemblies.

Abstract: A drawn agricultural implement includes a main frame and a plurality of ground engaging units supporting the main frame from a ground surface. A working unit is supported from the main frame and configured to engage crops as the implement moves in a forward direction across the ground surface. A draft tongue extends from the main frame for attachment to a tractor. A camera having a field of view is mounted on at least one of the draft tongue, the main frame and the working unit. The camera is movable relative to the at least one of the draft tongue, the main frame and the working unit to reposition the field of view.

Abstract: A system for forecasting the drying of an agricultural crop includes an electronic processor configured to receive weather data associated with an agricultural field and receive an agricultural field parameter from a field sensor associated with the agricultural field. The electronic processor is also configured to determine a drying score for each of a plurality of harvest times based on the weather data and the agricultural field parameter. The electronic processor is also configured to determine a recommended harvest time for harvesting the agricultural crop based on the drying score, wherein the recommended harvest time is included in the plurality of harvest times. The electronic processor is also configured to output a forecast for the agricultural crop for display to a user, wherein the forecast includes the drying score and the recommended harvest time for harvesting the agricultural crop.

Abstract: A tractor assembly includes a tractor having a first set of wheels and a second set of wheels, a mower-conditioner assembly coupled to the tractor, a shield coupled to the conditioner at a location rearward thereof, and a crop moving assembly coupled to either the tractor or mower-conditioner assembly. The mower-conditioner assembly includes a mowing mechanism configured to cut a crop and a conditioner configured to crimp the crop. The shield deflects the crimped crop rearwardly therefrom and forms a windrow of a first width. The windrow is disposed directly behind the tractor and includes a device for spreading the windrow in at least one direction to form a second width. The second width is greater than the first width.

Abstract: A work vehicle for working a swath of crop has at least one ground-engaging wheel or track mounted to the work vehicle and movable in a travel direction along a tread path. A first redistribution device is mounted to the work vehicle to move crop that is ahead of the at least one ground-engaging wheel or track relative to the travel direction. A second redistribution device is mounted to the work vehicle to move crop that is behind the at least one ground-engaging wheel or track relative to the travel direction. The first redistribution device is configured to open the swath of crop along substantially only the tread path ahead of the at least one ground-engaging wheel or track relative to the travel direction, and the second redistribution device is configured to close the swath of crop along the tread path behind the at least one ground-engaging wheel or track relative to the travel direction.

Abstract: A tractor assembly includes a tractor having a first set of wheels and a second set of wheels, a mower-conditioner assembly coupled to the tractor, a shield coupled to the conditioner at a location rearward thereof, and a crop moving assembly coupled to either the tractor or mower-conditioner assembly. The mower-conditioner assembly includes a mowing mechanism configured to cut a crop and a conditioner configured to crimp the crop. The shield deflects the crimped crop rearwardly therefrom and forms a windrow of a first width. The windrow is disposed directly behind the tractor and includes a device for spreading the windrow in at least one direction to form a second width. The second width is greater than the first width.

Abstract: A work vehicle for working a swath of crop has at least one ground-engaging wheel or track mounted to the work vehicle and movable in a travel direction along a tread path. A first redistribution device is mounted to the work vehicle to move crop that is ahead of the at least one ground-engaging wheel or track relative to the travel direction. A second redistribution device is mounted to the work vehicle to move crop that is behind the at least one ground-engaging wheel or track relative to the travel direction. The first redistribution device is configured to open the swath of crop along substantially only the tread path ahead of the at least one ground-engaging wheel or track relative to the travel direction, and the second redistribution device is configured to close the swath of crop along the tread path behind the at least one ground-engaging wheel or track relative to the travel direction.

Abstract: A system for forecasting the drying of an agricultural crop includes an electronic processor configured to receive weather data associated with an agricultural field and receive an agricultural field parameter from a field sensor associated with the agricultural field. The electronic processor is also configured to determine a drying score for each of a plurality of harvest times based on the weather data and the agricultural field parameter. The electronic processor is also configured to determine a recommended harvest time for harvesting the agricultural crop based on the drying score, wherein the recommended harvest time is included in the plurality of harvest times. The electronic processor is also configured to output a forecast for the agricultural crop for display to a user, wherein the forecast includes the drying score and the recommended harvest time for harvesting the agricultural crop.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a hydraulic system for controlling a load. The system includes a housing defining an inlet, a first port, and a second port. The system further includes a spool valve and a proportional control element. The spool valve is in fluid communication with the inlet and the second port and the proportional control element is in fluid communication with the first port. The proportional control element can be controllable to exhaust fluid from the first port to a reservoir. In this arrangement, the proportional control element and the spool valve are controlled independently of one another.

Abstract: A ride control system and method where the system includes first hydraulics for equalizing pressure between ride control accumulators and boom cylinder head side, and second hydraulics for providing low pressure drop connection between ride control accumulators and boom cylinder head side. When ride control is engaged, the first hydraulics equalizes pressure between ride control accumulators and boom cylinder head side to within a pressure threshold, then the second hydraulics provides the low pressure drop connection between ride control accumulators and boom cylinder head side. Ride control system can include third hydraulics for providing fluid connection between boom cylinder rod side and tank; where after first hydraulics equalizes pressure to within pressure threshold, then third hydraulics provides connection between boom cylinder rod side and tank. The ride control system can also monitor the condition of the ride control accumulators.

Abstract: A ride control system and method where the system includes first hydraulics for equalizing pressure between ride control accumulators and boom cylinder head side, and second hydraulics for providing low pressure drop connection between ride control accumulators and boom cylinder head side. When ride control is engaged, the first hydraulics equalizes pressure between ride control accumulators and boom cylinder head side to within a pressure threshold, then the second hydraulics provides the low pressure drop connection between ride control accumulators and boom cylinder head side. Ride control system can include third hydraulics for providing fluid connection between boom cylinder rod side and tank; where after first hydraulics equalizes pressure to within pressure threshold, then third hydraulics provides connection between boom cylinder rod side and tank. The ride control system can also monitor the condition of the ride control accumulators.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a work machine having a frame and a front and rear wheel axle. The machine includes a cab coupled to the frame. The cab is configured to include controls for controlling the operation of the work machine. The machine also includes an electrically-powered drive assembly coupled to the frame and front and rear axles and an inverter electrically coupled to the electrically-powered drive assembly. The machine further includes a platform assembly disposed adjacent the cab and coupled to the frame. The platform assembly comprises an outer wall at least partially surrounding the inverter.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a work machine having a frame and a front and rear wheel axle. The machine includes a cab coupled to the frame. The cab is configured to include controls for controlling the operation of the work machine. The machine also includes an electrically-powered drive assembly coupled to the frame and front and rear axles and an inverter electrically coupled to the electrically-powered drive assembly. The machine further includes a platform assembly disposed adjacent the cab and coupled to the frame. The platform assembly comprises an outer wall at least partially surrounding the inverter.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a hydraulic system for controlling a load. The system includes a housing defining an inlet, a first port, and a second port. The system further includes a spool valve and a proportional control element. The spool valve is in fluid communication with the inlet and the second port and the proportional control element is in fluid communication with the first port. The proportional control element can be controllable to exhaust fluid from the first port to a reservoir. In this arrangement, the proportional control element and the spool valve are controlled independently of one another.

Abstract: A steering control system for directing fluid to steering actuators on a machine include a set of right and left manually-operated pilot pressure fluid control valves and a set of right and left electro-hydraulic (EH) pilot pressure fluid control valves, with both sets being coupled to a main steering control valve for controlling movement of the latter to effect operation of the steering actuators.

Abstract: A steering control system for directing fluid to steering actuators on a machine include a set of right and left manually-operated pilot pressure fluid control valves and a set of right and left electro-hydraulic (EH) pilot pressure fluid control valves, with both sets being coupled to a main steering control valve for controlling movement of the latter to effect operation of the steering actuators.

Abstract: A steering system has a steering control unit and a ratio adjuster for varying a flow rate amplification ratio of the steering control unit.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system in which a pump for pressurized hydraulic fluid connects with a valve assembly having a valve element displaceable in a chamber to selectively direct fluid to a load driven by the hydraulic system. Surfaces on the end faces of the valve element are exposed to hydraulic pressure from a controller via electro-hydraulic solenoid valves. The surfaces of the valve element adjacent the end faces are undercut to establish a leakage flow path and the solenoid valves are selectively actuated to pressurize the end faces to a level below normal actuation of the valve element but high enough to cause fluid to return to a drain and thus increase the temperature of the hydraulic fluid in the system.