Abstract: A rinse monitoring and control system for a self-propelled sprayer is configured to allow automatic rinsing of plumbing components and tubing of the sprayer with a liquid rinse by automatically controlling the timing and sequencing of electronic valves upon receiving a rinse command. Aspects of the rinsing can be configured by an operator, such as the whether the product tank is rinsed, the duration of each rinse, and the number of rinse cycles. The valves and liquid flow can be monitored in real time from a touchscreen HMI during the rinsing. Accordingly, the sprayer can be thoroughly rinsed by pressing a single button to generate the rinse command, without requiring the operator to manually actuate valves and/or recall stages of the rinse sequence.

Abstract: In one aspect, a suspension control system is provided for dynamically adjusting pistons located proximal to wheels of an agricultural machine to substantially equalize distribution of weight of the machine at each wheel and/or provide a substantially constant desired orientation of the machine above a ground surface thereby protecting laterally extending sprayer booms from contacting the ground. Articulation, pitch, roll and/or machine height can be determined from piston measurements on the machine to apply such height corrections. For sprayers, this allows controlling clearance and suspension height to maintain the boom parallel to the ground to prevent damage.

Abstract: In one aspect, a suspension control system is provided for dynamically adjusting pistons located proximal to wheels of an agricultural machine to account for tire deflection or squat with varying loads. Articulation, pitch, roll and/or machine height can be determined from pressure measurements on the machine to apply such tire height corrections. For sprayers, this allows controlling clearance and suspension height to maintain the boom parallel to the ground to prevent damage.

Abstract: In one aspect, a control system is provided which determines fluid flow in a suspension system for an agricultural machine by determining total fluid in a closed loop piston system. Fluid is determined using position sensors and a pressure transducers and application of the ideal gas with respect to each accumulator. A closed loop control system can then target an amount of fluid for optimum suspension control.

Abstract: An operator seat system is provided that includes an operator seat and an armrest control center with an I/O (input/output) system that is connected to and moves with the operator seat. An armrest control center mount system may include a seat mount and an armrest control center mount that are attached to each other with an adjustment system that allows adjustment of the armrest control center with respect to the operator seat.

Abstract: An armrest control center can be configured on with respect to an armrest of a chair in an operator cab of an agricultural machine to have physical inputs which can be quickly and easily controlled by an operator in the cab to affect automatically controlled sprayer boom functions so that the operator is not distracted by cumbersome menus on a computer screen. Such physical inputs can include push buttons and/or a joystick. Such sprayer boom functions can include activating or deactivating automatic sprayer boom height control, adjusting automatic sprayer boom height settings, and folding and/or unfolding the sprayer boom.

Abstract: An ambient light controller in an agricultural machine can control multicolor lights arranged in an operator cab of the machine to project light around structures in the cab to areas that are perceivable by a forward facing operator to convey useful information about the machine to the operator. The lights can be projected around such structures by using light pipes. The lights can preferably be in a color which minimizes glare inside the cab to avoid distraction. The light controller can monitor various functions of the machine, such as boom height, and change colors and/or patterns of the lights to indicate states corresponding to the conditions, such as a normal state and a fault state.

Abstract: An operator can interact with a user interface to input tire configuration information for a tires installed on an agricultural machine so that a control system of the machine can accurately apply information about the tires to display calculated parameters and/or control machine functions. In one aspect, the input could correspond to custom information for tires which the controller could use to derive tire dimensions, such as a rolling circumference of the tire, for calculating parameters. In another aspect, the input could correspond to a selection among several predetermined tire configurations. The controller can then apply the tire dimension to calculate one or more parameters, such as speed and/or distance traveled, for display, and/or to control various machine functions, such as an agricultural product application rate, steering, driveline and/or suspension control.

Abstract: A front overhead display panel can be configured in an operator cab of an agricultural machine so that an operator can quickly monitor current states of multiple functions of the machine while maintaining a forward view of the agricultural field. The display panel can include multiple multicolor indicators with each multicolor indicator corresponding to a function of the machine. A display controller can monitor current states of the functions and illuminate the indicators with select colors corresponding to the states. States can include activation, deactivation and/or susceptibility to machine control. Functions can include control with respect to spray sections, product pumps, rinse systems, steering modes, and the like.

Abstract: Automatic steering and four-wheel steering are configured on an agricultural machine so that when automatic steering is enabled, a control system selectively activates and deactivates four-wheel steering depending on sensed turning or non-turning states of the machine. When automatic steering is enabled, the machine can automatically steer, such as according to a prescription map. In straightaway paths, corresponding to non-turning states, the control system can activate two-wheel steering. However, in the headlands of fields, corresponding to turning states, the control system can activate four-wheel steering. Such turning states can be determined based on the machines location on the map. Alternatively, such turning states can be determined based on sensed turning of the wheels.

Abstract: A self-propelled agricultural sprayer can be configured with a spray boom, adjustable width wheels and rear wheel spray nozzles arranged over rear wheels of the adjustable width wheels, so that the rear wheel nozzles ensure proper coverage of an agricultural field behind the rear wheels according to location. A control system can determine front wheel nozzles disposed on the spray boom that are counterpart spray nozzles to the rear wheel nozzles based on a width of the wheels, and implement activation/deactivation states of the rear wheel nozzles based on the counterpart front spray nozzles. The activation/deactivation states of the spray nozzles can be determined by geographic location of the machine using a UPS location. The rear wheel nozzles can be arranged with respect to fenders of the rear wheels, so that the rear wheel nozzles move laterally with the rear wheels.

Abstract: A rinse monitoring and control system for a self-propelled sprayer is configured to allow automatic rinsing of plumbing components and tubing of the sprayer with a liquid rinse by automatically controlling the timing and sequencing of electronic valves upon receiving a rinse command. Aspects of the rinsing can be configured by an operator, such as the whether the product tank is rinsed, the duration of each rinse, and the number of rinse cycles. The valves and liquid flow can be monitored in real time from a touchscreen HMI during the rinsing. Accordingly, the sprayer can be thoroughly rinsed by pressing a single button to generate the rinse command, without requiring the operator to manually actuate valves and/or recall stages of the rinse sequence.

Abstract: One or more vehicle sensors can be used in a suspension control system of an agricultural machine to dynamically adjust pistons located proximal to wheels of the machine to substantially control orientation. Such vehicle sensors could include: a speed sensor configured to provide an output indicating a speed of the machine; a turn angle sensor configured to provide an output indicating a turn angle of the machine; and/or an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) configured to detect a chassis-to-horizon angle. The output can be compared to a threshold for determining when to control valves in the suspension system to apply height corrections.

Abstract: A lift arm control system can be configured to raise or lower a lift arm assembly of an agricultural machine with variable speed so that the lift arm assembly can optimally perform under varying conditions, including changing a tool connected to the lift arm assembly while stationary and/or moving the lift arm assembly while operating at various speeds in the field. The lift arm assembly can be manually configured to adjust with speeds that are proportional to a user input. The lift arm assembly can also be automatically configured to adjust with speeds that are proportional to sensor(s) input of the machine, such as a vehicle speed sensor.

Abstract: A lock system can be provided at each rear wheel assembly of a four wheel steering system to physically lock the rear wheel assemblies in a fixed direction to safely prevent rear wheel steering when such feature is undesirable. The lock system can use an electronically controlled actuator to hydraulically drive or retract a lock cylinder to lock or unlock the rear wheel assemblies, respectively. Sensors can be used to detect whether the lock cylinders are driven or retracted by their respective actuators, so that a controller monitoring the sensors can determine whether four wheel steering is enabled or disabled.