Abstract: A windrower implement includes a merger attachment coupled to a frame rearward of an implement head. The merger attachment includes a conveyor positioned relative to the implement head to receive discharged crop material from the implement head and convey the crop material laterally relative to the central longitudinal axis to form a windrow laterally offset from the central longitudinal axis. A forming shield guides the crop material from the implement head to the merger attachment. A crop inflow sensor detects crop inflow rate through the implement head. A crop outflow sensor detects crop outflow rate on the conveyor of the merger attachment. A controller receives and compares signals from the sensors to detect crop material loss.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for determining appropriate settings and controlling windrower performance based on the constituents of the target crop. Crop condition and constituents can be identified in the field using sensors in/at the windrower implement, such as constituent sensors and/or imaging sensors. An implement controller can receive sensor data from the sensor array and generate crop condition data indicative of a condition of the target crop. The controller can also generate actuator adjustment data indicative of an adjustment to the roller assembly in the windrower implement to meet a target crop dry-down characteristic. One or more actuators can be used to adjust the roller assembly of the windrower implement based at least on the adjustment data, which can be done automatically or by an operator to the roller systems in the implement.

Abstract: An agricultural residue distribution control system associated with an agricultural work vehicle includes one or more sensors configured to collect information of an initial state at a field location including an amount of biomass at the field location, soil characteristics at the field location, or both, during the initial state; and a controller. The controller is configured to: receive the information collected from the one or more sensors of the biomass, the soil characteristics, or both, at the field location during the initial state; acquire a target future state at the field location; generate a residue distribution plan for the target future state at the field location based on the received information collected from the one or more sensors of the amount of biomass, the soil characteristics, or both, at the field location during the initial state; and execute the residue distribution plan to achieve the target future state.

Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating throughput of a crop material and controlling a belt speed of a cross conveyor. A conveyor can convey, and discharge, cut crop material from a merger device. A first sensor coupled to the conveyor provides information indicative of a weight or mass of the crop material on the conveyor, while another sensor can provide information regarding the speed at which the conveyor is operating. Such speed and weight or mass information can, along with calibration factors, be used to estimate a throughput of the crop material, including a rate at which crop material is being discharged from the merger device. The throughput estimation and information relating to the location and speed of travel of the associated agricultural vehicle, location of another windrow, target location for the discharged crop material, and selected windrow parameters can also be used to control the speed of the conveyor.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for automatically adjusting conditioning rollers of a crimping implement, such as those used to condition hay or other crimped crops, such as cover crops. Adjustments can be made on the fly to rollers, crimpers, or down pressure applicators used to condition the crop based on several factors such as the condition of the crop, the type of crop, and more. Sensors can be used to detect the crops and others' conditions before and after conditioning, and automatic adjustments can be made, such as the distance between conditioning rollers, and/or the pressure applied by the rollers, etc. to meet a desired crop condition for the crimped crop.

Abstract: A mower implement comprising may include a main frame, a cutter assembly, a hyperspectral sensor, and a controller. The hyperspectral sensor is coupled to the main frame, receives reflectance from a target area disposed rearward of the cutter assembly and including the windrow, and generates a signal indicative of light spectrums of the target area. The controller has a processor and a memory having a windrow distribution algorithm stored therein. The processor is operable to execute the windrow distribution algorithm to: receive the signal indicative of the light spectrums of the target area from the hyperspectral sensor; calculate a normalized difference index based on the signal indicative of the light spectrums of the target area; estimate a volumetric spread of the windrow; and control a machine system based on the volumetric spread. The machine system includes one of a display, an actuator, and a drivetrain component.

Abstract: A windrower implement includes a merger attachment positioned rearward of an implement head. The merger attachment includes a conveyor positioned to receive discharged crop material from the implement head and convey the crop material to a laterally offset location. A crop sensor is operable to detect data related to a current characteristic of the cut crop material. A merger controller is operable to receive data from the crop sensor related to the current characteristic of the cut crop material, determine a desired windrow width based on the data from the crop sensor related to the current characteristic of the cut crop material, and then control a current speed of the conveyor based the desired windrow width.

Abstract: A baler implement includes a pre-compression passageway including a lower passage wall having an access panel. The access panel is moveable between an operating position and an access position. A panel actuator is coupled to the access panel for moving the access panel. A feed system includes at least one feeder fork operable to move crop material through the pre-compression passageway. A drive system is coupled to the feed system and includes a power source that is selectively controllable to move the feed system in a first direction during a baling operation and move the feed system in a second direction during an un-plugging operation. A baler controller is operable to identify a plug condition from data related to an operating characteristic of the baling operation and may then automatically initiate the un-plugging operation when the plug condition is identified.

Abstract: A windrower implement includes a merger attachment having a conveyor positioned relative to an implement head to receive discharged crop material from the implement head and convey the crop material to a laterally offset location on a discharge side of the merger attachment. An image sensor is positioned to capture an image of a windrow laterally offset from the central longitudinal axis on the discharge side of the frame. A merger controller is disposed in communication with the image sensor and is operable to capture an image of the windrow with the image sensor, identify and locate an edge of the windrow in the captured image relative to the conveyor. The merger controller may then control a current speed of the conveyor based on the location of the edge of the windrow so that crop material is discharged onto the existing windrow.

Abstract: A power management system and method for a work machine that receives real time data, computes current power requirements based on the real time data, computes an optimized engine speed based on the current power requirements and a desired reserve power, and informs an operator of the optimized engine speed. The system can predict upcoming power requirements based on real time and predictive machine data, and compute the optimized engine speed based on the current and upcoming power requirements and the desired reserve power. The system can also receive predictive data, and predict the upcoming power requirements based on the predictive and real time data. Predictive data can include topographical data and/or historical power-consumption data. The system can include an automatic mode where the system automatically adjusts engine speed to the optimized engine speed. The system can maintain a constant machine ground speed as it automatically adjusts engine speed.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for developing appropriate settings for a windrower implement or forage harvester implement, to obtain a desired crop conditioning profile for a target crop. Field crop conditions may vary due to soil conditions, moisture content, and the operator may wish to get crop uniformity when collected. As such, a profile can be developed that provides adjustment data to actuators to adjust machine setting, to provide for a conditioning systems to obtain a desired result. The adjustment data can be generated based on such as the moisture content of the target crop, the target moisture content, and the dry-down characteristics for the crop. The profile can help set the harvesting system to provide appropriate cut and crimp to result in a desired dry-down time to get uniformity in the collected crop.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for operating an agricultural distribution vehicle with a tank for a liquid to be applied, a boom with spray nozzles attached thereto for distributing the liquid on a surface and a chassis supported on the ground which is movable in a forward direction over the surface. The method includes refilling the contents of the tank via an aerial vehicle.

Abstract: A nozzle evaluation system is provided for an agricultural baler with a nozzle apparatus having at least one nozzle. The system includes a sensor associated with the at least one nozzle and configured to collect vibration patterns of sound emanating from the at least one nozzle of the nozzle apparatus during application of a fluid upon a respective bale; and a controller configured to: receive the vibration patterns collected by the sensor during application of the fluid upon the respective bale; evaluate the vibration patterns for the at least one nozzle for a clog condition; and record, upon detecting the clog condition based on the vibration patterns, information associated with clog condition.

Abstract: A mower implement includes a cutter having a blade operable to cut crop material. A blade diagnostic controller is operable to capture an image of cut crop stubble rearward of the cutter with an image sensor. The blade diagnostic controller may then identify a cut end of the cut crop stubble in the image, determine a cut quality of the cut end of the cut crop stubble, and correlate the cut quality of the cut end to a blade sharpness index. The blade diagnostic controller may then communicate an index signal to a communicator to generate a communication indicating the blade sharpness index.

Abstract: A baler implement includes a bale formation system operable to form crop material into a bale and eject the bale into an unloading zone. An object detection sensor is positioned to detect data related to the unloading zone. A baler controller is operable to determine if an object is present in the unloading zone or if an object is not present in the unloading zone based on a data signal from the object detection sensor. When an object is not present in the unloading zone, the controller may initiate the bale ejection sequence to eject the bale. When an object is present in the unloading zone, the controller may prevent initiation of the bale ejection sequence to prevent ejection of the bale onto the object.

Abstract: A cruise control system and method for a work vehicle with vehicle interlocks, and a controller. Each vehicle interlock monitors a vehicle system status. When at least one of the vehicle interlocks is triggered, the controller notifies the operator of the triggered interlock and deactivates cruise control. An activation mechanism can activate cruise control. When the activation mechanism is activated and none of the vehicle interlocks is triggered, the controller activates cruise control and maintains current vehicle ground speed at a vehicle cruise speed. When the activation mechanism is deactivated, the controller deactivates cruise control. The cruise speed can be set to the current vehicle ground speed, or can be set by a speed selection mechanism, or can resume at a previously selected cruise speed, or can be set by another method.

Abstract: A power management system and method for a work machine that receives real time data, computes current power requirements based on the real time data, computes an optimized engine speed based on the current power requirements and a desired reserve power, and informs an operator of the optimized engine speed. The system can predict upcoming power requirements based on real time and predictive machine data, and compute the optimized engine speed based on the current and upcoming power requirements and the desired reserve power. The system can also receive predictive data, and predict the upcoming power requirements based on the predictive and real time data. Predictive data can include topographical data and/or historical power-consumption data. The system can include an automatic mode where the system automatically adjusts engine speed to the optimized engine speed. The system can maintain a constant machine ground speed as it automatically adjusts engine speed.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for automatically adjusting conditioning rollers of a windrower implement, such as those used to condition hay and other windrowed crops. Adjustments can be made on the fly to rollers used to condition the crop based on several factors such as the condition of the crop, the density, speed, header conditions, and more. Sensors can be used to detect the crop's and others' conditions, and automatic adjustments can be made, such as the distance between conditioning rollers, and/or the pressure applied by the rollers, to meet a desired crop condition for the windrows.

Abstract: A baler implement includes a bale formation system operable to form crop material into a bale and eject the bale into an unloading zone. An object detection sensor is positioned to detect data related to the unloading zone. A baler controller is operable to determine if an object is present in the unloading zone or if an object is not present in the unloading zone based on a data signal from the object detection sensor. When an object is not present in the unloading zone, the controller may initiate the bale ejection sequence to eject the bale. When an object is present in the unloading zone, the controller may prevent initiation of the bale ejection sequence to prevent ejection of the bale onto the object.

Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a seeding system having a seed transport mechanism configured to transport a seed along a transport route. A terahertz-based seed sensor is configured to direct terahertz electromagnetic radiation toward the seed at a sensing location along the transport route and detect terahertz electromagnetic radiation after the terahertz electromagnetic radiation interacts with the seed to provide terahertz data. An actuator is configured to selectively move the seed. A processing system is configured to receive the terahertz data and classify the seed as qualified or non-qualified and to selectively engage the actuator based on whether the seed is classified as qualified or non-qualified.