Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the distance between an agricultural machine and a surface such as the ground, wherein at least one sensor contactlessly determines the distance between the sensor and the surface. The sensor uses electromagnetic waves to penetrate through the field vegetation. The sensor may be a radar, a microwave or a laser sensor. The electromagnetic wave is emitted in a vertical direction toward the ground and reflected back to the sensor. The determined distance is used for automatically maintaining a working height of a front attachment, such as a cutterbar.

Abstract: The method of setting rotation speed of a drive motor of a work machine, in which the drive motor has a device for control of motor rotation speed and for control of the travel speed independently of the rotation speed, includes setting the rotation speed of the drive motor to be constant during working operation and setting the rotation speed of the drive motor during transport or road travel of the work machine automatically according to the set travel speed of the work machine or according to whether the work machine is in working operation or in transport or road travel. A suitable apparatus is described for performing the method.

Abstract: An intake subassembly for an agricultural harvesting machine, in particular a self-propelled forage harvester for corn, grass and the like, including a cutting cylinder, feed rollers, and compression rollers, has a cut-out clutch for bringing the feed rollers and the compression rollers to a sudden stop. The machine may have a monitor system for detecting and processing information relating to the status and motion of the components of the subassembly and generating a signal to interrupt and brake the detected motion, for example, in response to the presence of foreign objects or overloads in the subassembly.

Abstract: The harvesting machine includes an attachment, a feed device for material to be harvested, a cutting drum for the material to be harvested, an ejection means for conveying the material from the cutting drum, an advantageously hydrostatic drive for the feed device, a drive for the cutting drum, respective rotation speed sensors for measuring actual rotation speeds of the cutting drum and the feed device and an electronic analysis unit.

Abstract: A device for automatic filling a traveling load container which travels adjacent to a traveling harvesting vehicle includes optical or acoustic sensors providing an optimal filling of the container. The sensors can be oriented toward the filling cone of the product stream and to the outer limits of the load container.

Abstract: A device for automatic filling of a mobile container (4) with a material stream (13) from a harvester (1) moving alongside a discharge knee/discharge pipe which is controllably pivotable around a vertical and/or horizontal axis, with a pivotable discharge flap (5) at the end from the harvester (1) to the container (4). At least one optical and/or acoustic range finder (6) for measuring the container (4) and measuring fill levels is disposed on the discharge knee/discharge pipe (3). The range finder (6), either together with the discharge knee/discharge pipe (3) or independently thereof, can be pivoted horizontally and/or vertically.