Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling formation of a windrow in response to a single control input. The single control input represents a desired windrow width. The single control input is used to determine positions of components of a cutter implement, such as side shields and a swath flap, that are used to form a windrow having the desired windrow width represented or that is otherwise associated with the single control input.

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: A method of defining an end travel limit of an electric actuator includes sensing an electric current of the electric actuator while moving the electric actuator from a first position to a second position. A maximum travel current of the electric current sensed during movement of the electric actuator between the first position to the second position is increased by a factor to define a maximum calibration current. The electric current is then sensed while moving from the second position toward an end travel position of the electric actuator. Movement of the electric actuator is stopped at a fault position when the electric current equals the maximum calibration current. The end travel limit of the electric actuator is then defined as a function of the fault position.

Abstract: A work implement includes a support controller disposed in communication with a hydraulic lift cylinder. The support controller initiates a control activation signal for commanding movement of the hydraulic lift cylinder to move the head support from an initial start position to a commanded support position. The support controller determines a stop signal position based on the current rate of movement of the head support toward the commanded support position. The stop signal position may further be based on a current fluid pressure of an associated float system. The support controller ceases or stops the control activation signal when the head support reaches the stop signal position, whereby the head support decelerates over a distance after cessation of the control activation signal such that the head support substantially stops movement at the commanded support position.

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: An agricultural machine includes a main frame, a rockshaft pivotably coupled to the main frame, a lift actuator couple between the rock shaft and the main frame, a lift arm pivotably coupled to the main frame below the rockshaft, a lift strap coupled between the rockshaft and the lift arm, and a lift actuator coupled between the main frame and the lift strap to pull the lift arm upwards. The agricultural machine includes header, which is supported by the lift arm and the float actuator above the ground at a desired harvesting height. During harvesting, the lift arm may encounter uneven ground, causing the header to move away from the desired harvesting height. By measuring float actuator pressure or header position and by changing the pressure in the float actuator or lift actuator in response, the header can be rapidly returned to the desired harvesting height.

Abstract: A work implement includes a support controller disposed in communication with a hydraulic lift cylinder. The support controller initiates a control activation signal for commanding movement of the hydraulic lift cylinder to move the head support from an initial start position to a commanded support position. The support controller determines a stop signal position based on the current rate of movement of the head support toward the commanded support position. The stop signal position may further be based on a current fluid pressure of an associated float system. The support controller ceases or stops the control activation signal when the head support reaches the stop signal position, whereby the head support decelerates over a distance after cessation of the control activation signal such that the head support substantially stops movement at the commanded support position.

Abstract: A method of defining an end travel limit of an electric actuator includes sensing an electric current of the electric actuator while moving the electric actuator from a first position to a second position. A maximum travel current of the electric current sensed during movement of the electric actuator between the first position to the second position is increased by a factor to define a maximum calibration current. The electric current is then sensed while moving from the second position toward an end travel position of the electric actuator. Movement of the electric actuator is stopped at a fault position when the electric current equals the maximum calibration current. The end travel limit of the electric actuator is then defined as a function of the fault position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling formation of a windrow in response to a single control input are disclosed. The single control input represents a desired windrow width. The single control input is used to determine positions of components of a cutter implement, such as side shields and a swath flap, that are used to form a windrow having the desired windrow width represented or that is otherwise associated with the single control input.

Abstract: A crop windrow monitoring system includes an image sensor positioned to include a field of view facing a rearward direction of a power unit, and a visual monitor operable to display an image. A computing device is operable to determine an intended direction of movement of the power unit. The image is displayed on the visual monitor in a first mode having a first magnification when the intended direction of movement includes the rearward direction. The image is displayed on the visual monitor in a second mode having a second magnification and overlaid with indicia indicating a width of the windrow when the intended direction of movement includes the forward direction. The second magnification may be larger than the first magnification.

Abstract: A crop windrow monitoring system includes an image sensor positioned to include a field of view facing a rearward direction of a power unit, and a visual monitor operable to display an image. A computing device is operable to determine an intended direction of movement of the power unit. The image is displayed on the visual monitor in a first mode having a first magnification when the intended direction of movement includes the rearward direction. The image is displayed on the visual monitor in a second mode having a second magnification and overlaid with indicia indicating a width of the windrow when the intended direction of movement includes the forward direction. The second magnification may be larger than the first magnification.

Abstract: A forming shield arrangement configured for a windrowing work vehicle is supported for movement by a support structure. The forming shield arrangement is configured to at least partly shape a windrow of a crop material. A method of operating the forming shield arrangement includes receiving, by a processor of a control system from a memory element, a stored position setting that corresponds to a position of the forming shield arrangement relative to the support structure. The method also includes processing, by the processor, a positioning control signal based, at least in part, on the stored position setting. Moreover, the method includes changing, with an actuator, the position of the forming shield arrangement according to the positioning control signal.

Abstract: A windrowing work vehicle with a swath flap arrangement is disclosed. The swath flap arrangement includes a swath flap that is supported for movement by a support structure between a raised position and a lowered position. The swath flap is configured to at least partially shape a windrow of a crop material. A method includes receiving, by a processor of a control system from a memory element, a stored position setting that corresponds to a position of the swath flap relative to the support structure. The method further includes processing, by the processor, a positioning control signal based, at least in part, on the stored position setting. Also, the method includes moving, with an actuator, the swath flap relative to the support structure between the raised position and the lowered position according to the positioning control signal.

Abstract: A harvesting work vehicle includes a conditioning arrangement configured to condition a crop material. A method of operating the work vehicle includes receiving, by a processor of a control system from a memory element, a stored conditioning setting for a variable parameter of the conditioning arrangement. The method also includes processing, by the processor, a conditioning control signal based, at least in part, on the stored conditioning setting. Furthermore, the method includes changing, with an actuator, the variable parameter of the conditioning arrangement according to the conditioning control signal.

Abstract: A steering system and method for a vehicle having steerable front and rear wheels has rear hydraulic steering device that may be coupled to one or more of the rear wheels. A rear valve assembly may hydraulically control the rear hydraulic steering device to steer the rear wheels based upon a rear steering command from a controller. In a manual steering mode, the controller does not determine a rear steering command for the rear valve assembly such that the rear wheels are freely rotatable. In a rear steering assist mode, the controller determines the rear steering command based upon, at least in part, the manual steering input.

Abstract: A steering system and method are described for a vehicle having steerable front and rear wheels. A rear hydraulic steering device may be coupled to one or more of the rear wheels. A rear valve assembly may hydraulically control the rear hydraulic steering device to steer the rear wheels based upon a rear steering command. In a rear steering assist mode, the rear steering command may be determined based upon a manual steering input received at a steering input device. In an automated steering mode, the rear steering command may be determined based upon a target path of the agricultural vehicle that is determined independently of the manual steering input.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a hydraulic drive system includes determining a forward park position value, a reverse park position value, an initial forward position value, and an initial reverse position value of a control device and using these values to calculate a forward buffer value and a reverse buffer value. The forward buffer value and the reverse buffer value are used to determine an adjustment amount for the drive system. The adjustment amount can be used to properly adjust a drive system to avoid system errors.

Abstract: A steering system and method for a vehicle having steerable front and rear wheels has rear hydraulic steering device that may be coupled to one or more of the rear wheels. A rear valve assembly may hydraulically control the rear hydraulic steering device to steer the rear wheels based upon a rear steering command from a controller. In a manual steering mode, the controller does not determine a rear steering command for the rear valve assembly such that the rear wheels are freely rotatable. In a rear steering assist mode, the controller determines the rear steering command based upon, at least in part, the manual steering input.