Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improving the operation of a grain cleaning system in a combine harvester characterized in that the method comprises the step of adjusting the position of the upper sieve in the grain cleaning system upon registering a deviance from a threshold value for crop material load on the upper sieve such that the material return flow is adjusted. The present invention further relates to a sieve overload control algorithm capable of activating an optimal sieve control action upon registration of a deviance from a threshold value for crop material load on the upper sieve of a grain cleaning system.

Abstract: A precision farming method including a stochastic parameter , which is continuously optimized to adjust the model to the latest prevailing working conditions. Such parameter may be considered to constitute a variable which characterizes the instantaneously prevailing readiness of the harvesting process. Such variable can be used for establishing field maps showing the evolution of the harvesting operation itself. It can also be used in automatic routines which adjust the harvester speed in order to limit the grain losses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improving the operation of a grain cleaning system in a combine harvester characterized in that the method comprises the step of adjusting the position of the upper sieve in the grain cleaning system upon registering a deviance from a threshold value for crop material load on the upper sieve such that the material return flow is adjusted. The present invention further relates to a sieve overload control algorithm capable of activating an optimal sieve control action upon registration of a deviance from a threshold value for crop material load on the upper sieve of a grain cleaning system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improving the operation of a grain cleaning system in a combine harvester characterized in that the method comprises the step of adjusting the position of the upper sieve in the grain cleaning system upon registering a deviance from a threshold value for crop material load on the upper sieve such that the material return flow is adjusted. The present invention further relates to a sieve overload control algorithm capable of activating an optimal sieve control action upon registration of a deviance from a threshold value for crop material load on the upper sieve of a grain cleaning system.

Abstract: A method of estimating the instantaneous crop yield ?2(t) at time t in a field, during harvesting with a harvesting machine that operates by cutting and/or controlling the crop and has a crop mass flow sensor that measures the mass flow rate of crop processed by the machine at a location remote from that at which the harvesting machine cuts the crop and generates a signal {dot over ({circumflex over (m)}out(t) indicative thereof, including the steps of: generating a mass flow rate signal {dot over ({circumflex over (m)}out(t) using the sensor;generating an area rate signal ?(t) indicative of time domain variations in the area of the field harvested per time unit;filtering the area rate signal ?(t) using a function P(s) representative of the dynamics of the harvesting machine to generate a filtered area rate signal ?2(t); andusing the filtered area rate signal ?2(t) for deriving from the mass flow rate signal {dot over ({circumflex over (m)}out(t) a yield per area unit ?2(t).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improving the operation of a grain cleaning system in a combine harvester characterized in that the method comprises the step of adjusting the position of the upper sieve in the grain cleaning system upon registering a deviance from a threshold value for crop material load on the upper sieve such that the material return flow is adjusted. The present invention further relates to a sieve overload control algorithm capable of activating an optimal sieve control action upon registration of a deviance from a threshold value for crop material load on the upper sieve of a grain cleaning system.

Abstract: The flow of crop material through a harvesting machine, such as a combine, can be described using a wide range of models, providing a relationship between the harvester load u(t), e.g. the mass flow at the inlet, and an effectiveness value y(t), e.g. the grain loss at the outlet. However, prior art models are not applicable to a wide range of harvesting conditions or are very complicated, requiring a multitude of inputs. The invention proposes to use a simple model, comprising a stochastic parameter , which is continuously optimized to adjust the model to the latest prevailing working conditions. Such parameter may be considered to constitute a variable which characterizes the instantaneously prevailing readiness of the harvesting process. Such variable can be used for establishing field maps showing the evolution of the harvesting operation itself. It can also be used in automatic routines which adjust the harvester speed in order to limit the grain losses.

Abstract: A method of estimating the instantaneous crop yield ŷ2(t) at time t in a field, during harvesting with a harvesting machine that operates by cutting and/or controlling the crop and has a crop mass flow sensor that measures the mass flow rate of crop processed by the machine at a location remote from that at which the harvesting machine cuts the crop and generates a signal {dot over ({circumflex over (m)})}out(t) indicative thereof, including the steps of: generating a mass flow rate signal {dot over ({circumflex over (m)})}out(t) using the sensor;generating an area rate signal ŝ(t) indicative of time domain variations in the area of the field harvested per time unit;filtering the area rate signal ŝ(t) using a function P(s) representative of the dynamics of the harvesting machine to generate a filtered area rate signal ŝ2(t); andusing the filtered area rate signal ŝ2(t) for deriving from the mass flow rate signal {dot over ({circumflex over (m)})}out(t) a yield per area unit &ycir