Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating remaining life in an agricultural baler comprise a reciprocating plunger for compressing gathered agricultural material into bales. A first sensor generates signals corresponding to force applied to the reciprocating plunger and any baling components configured to at least partially carry forces applied to the plunger. Based on input signals from at least the first sensor, forces associated with a load are recorded and a life state is estimated for the reciprocating plunger and/or at least one associated baler component. An output signal is then generated corresponding to the one or more estimated life states. In an embodiment, an input signal from a second sensor indicates completion of a bale, wherein an amount of life consumed from the plunger and/or baling components is determined in association with the bale, based at least in part on operating conditions of the baled material.

Abstract: A work vehicle for cutting crops includes a header a supported by a chassis of the work vehicle. The header includes a cutter assembly having a cutter bar frame supporting a series of rotary cutters arranged in a lengthwise direction. A gear train, having a first gear and a second gear, is coupled to the series of rotary cutters to transfer power thereto. A cutter control system includes a first motor coupled to the first gear of the gear train and a second motor coupled to the second gear of the gear train. A controller, including a processor and memory architecture, is operably connected to the first motor and the second motor to control operation thereof. The cutter control system drives the first gear at a first speed via the first motor and drives the second gear at a second speed via the second motor. The second speed is different than the first speed to pre-load the gear train into enmeshing engagement with each other in one rotational direction.

Abstract: A baler implement includes a housing that defines a baling chamber for forming crop material into a bale. The baler implement further includes a knotter system having a component that is moveable between a standby position and a wrapping position while wrapping the bale. A knotter sensor communicates a knotter engagement signal in response to movement of the component. A reader is in communication with the knotter sensor and is emits an interrogation signal for reading an identification tag on the bale. The reader emits the interrogation signal for a predefined period of time in response to the knotter engagement signal from the knotter sensor indicating movement of the component of the knotter system while wrapping the bale with the strand material.

Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a chassis, a crop-cutting member coupled to the chassis; and a crop-conditioning member coupled to the chassis and positioned rearward of the crop-cutting member. The crop-conditioning member includes a first macerator assembly and a second macerator assembly. The first macerator assembly includes a first roll configured to rotate about a first rotational axis, a second roll configured to rotate about a second rotational axis, and a first endless member surrounding and engaged with the first roll and the second roll. The second macerator assembly is spaced apart from the first macerator assembly; and a maceration zone is defined between the first macerator assembly and the second macerator assembly. The endless member rotates to macerate crop disposed between the first macerator assembly and the second macerator assembly.

Abstract: A harvester implement includes a traction unit and a harvester head having a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge. A controller determines a first ground speed of the first lateral edge and a second ground speed of the second lateral edge. The controller may then determine if either the first ground speed or the second ground speed is greater than a maximum allowable harvest speed, such as may occur when executing a turn. When one of the first ground speed or the second ground speed of the harvester head is greater than the maximum allowable harvest speed, the controller may then control a drive system of the traction unit to decrease the ground speed from an initial traction unit ground speed to a reduced traction unit ground speed so that both the first and second lateral edges of the harvester head stay below the maximum allowable harvest speed.

Abstract: Systems and method for forming a stable silo face in bulk material are disclosed. Particularly, systems and methods for forming a negative rake angle in a silo face of bulk silage are disclosed. Rotation of an articulated arm (e.g., raising and lowering), altering a length of the articulated arm (e.g., extension or retraction), and movement of a machine relative to the silo face (towards and away from) may be automatically controlled to form the negative rake angle. Different implementations contemplate automated control of all or fewer than all of these operations.

Abstract: An image-based position assessment method is performed in conjunction with a mechanism onboard an agricultural machine and containing a traveling component. In embodiments, the method includes receiving, at an image processing system, camera images captured by a diagnostic camera mounted to the agricultural machine. A field of view of the diagnostic camera at least partially encompasses an intended motion path along which the traveling component is configured to travel. The image processing system analyzes the camera images to determine whether a recorded time-dependent component position of the traveling component deviates excessively from an expected time-dependent component position of the traveling component, as taken along the intended motion path.

Abstract: An agricultural work machine, an agricultural work machine control system, and method for an agricultural work machine having a sound sensor configured to transmit sound signals generated by the work machine during operation. The transmitted sound signals are received by a controller and used to determine if the work machine is operating properly. The controller compares an operating frequency profile, based on the transmitted sound signals, to a baseline frequency profile, to determine whether a likelihood of a malfunctioning or damaged part or system of the work machine is present. If so, the controller transmits a signal to either turn off the agricultural work machine or transmits an alert to a display indicating that a malfunctioning or damaged part or system has been identified.

Abstract: A method of preparing a feed ration for an animal includes storing a cut crop material in an accumulation having an oxygen barrier. The cut crop material is fermented within the accumulation to form a silage material. A nutritive value of the silage material is determined with a nutrition sensor. A desired amount of maceration of the silage material is determined based on the determined nutritive value of the silage material. The silage material is then macerated with a mechanical macerator to achieve the desired amount of maceration. The macerated silage material is then combined with other feed materials to define the feed ration, and may then be fed to the animal.

Abstract: A method of generating a suggested optimal time for performing an agricultural operation in a field includes receiving data related to a current condition of a crop in the field. A predicted optimal time to perform the agricultural operation in the field is calculated using an agricultural model. Crowdsourcing data is received related to agricultural operations occurring within a defined area surrounding the field and within a defined preceding time period. The predicted optimal time to perform the agricultural operation is adjusted based on the crowdsourcing data, to generate the suggested optimal time to perform the agricultural operation. The suggested optimal time is communicated to a communicator located remote from the computing device and then displayed on the communicator.

Abstract: A method of preparing includes storing cut crop material in an accumulation having an oxygen barrier. The cut crop material ferments within the accumulation to form a silage material. After the fermentation of the silage material, the silage material is mechanically macerated with a macerator, and then fed to ruminant animals.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for displaying images of certain surroundings of an agricultural implement, for example one including a frame extending between opposing distal ends of a length transverse to a working direction of the agricultural implement. Individual image regions of the surroundings of the agricultural implement are captured using cameras arranged on the agricultural implement and directed toward a working area in the working direction, wherein a corresponding display is generated on a user interface. One or more traveling conditions (e.g., an edge of the working area and/or an edge of the frame, respectively corresponding to a first end and/or second end of the frame) may be automatically projected in the working direction, wherein respective indicia corresponding to the projected traveling conditions are superimposed on the generated display. The indicia may optionally be modified dynamically based on determined changes in a projected course of the working direction.

Abstract: A method of identifying a bale of material includes capturing an initial image of a region of an initial bale with an initial image sensor and identifying a unique band pattern of at least one multi-colored band of the initial bale. The identified unique band pattern is associated with the initial bale. Data related to the initial bale is associated with the identified unique band pattern. The identified unique band pattern of the initial bale may then be used as an identifier of the initial bale. A second image of the bale is captured and analyzed to determine if the second image includes the unique band pattern of the at least one multi-colored band, thereby identifying the bale in the second image as the initial bale. The data associated with the initial bale may then be retrieved by an operator.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for operating a rear gate of a baler implement includes a hydraulic cylinder having a housing that defines an interior, and a piston that is moveably disposed within the interior of the housing. The housing includes a first fluid port and a second fluid port, each disposed in fluid communication with a first fluid volume of the hydraulic cylinder. A flow rate control valve is moveable between a first position for directing fluid to or from the first fluid port at a first flow rate, and a second position for directing fluid to or from the second fluid port at a second flow rate. The second flow rate is different than the first flow rate.

Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a float cylinder interconnecting a header linkage system and a frame of the machine. A first rod side accumulator and a second rod side accumulator are both in fluid communication with a rod side fluid port of the float cylinder. A first accumulator control valve is positioned to control the first rod side accumulator, and is selectively controllable between an open position allowing fluid communication between the first rod side accumulator and the rod side fluid port of the float cylinder, and closed position blocking fluid communication between the first rod side accumulator and the rod side fluid port of the float cylinder. The system provides a slower first float response with the first accumulator control valve open, and a faster second float response with the first accumulator control valve closed.

Abstract: A method of harvesting a crop material includes gathering the crop material with a harvesting implement as the harvesting implement moves along an initial path through a field. A location and a value of a characteristic of the gathered crop material is sensed at a plurality of intervals. A set of estimated values of the characteristic throughout the field is generated based on the sensed location and characteristic of the crop material at each of interval. A value of the characteristic of the crop material ahead of the harvesting implement is predicted as the harvesting implement moves along a harvest path, based on the set of estimated values of the characteristic of the crop material throughout the field. A function of the harvesting implement may be controlled based on the predicted value of the characteristic ahead of the pick-up.

Abstract: Embodiments of a soil mapping process include the step or process of receiving georeferenced field images of vegetation within an imaged crop field, the georeferenced field images transmitted from a field imaging source to an image-based soil mapping system. The image-based soil mapping system visually analyzes the georeferenced field images to identify and categorize non-crop vegetation distributions present within the imaged crop field; compiles a soil characteristic map for the imaged crop field based, at least in part, on a comparison between the non-crop vegetation distributions and data stored in a first database correlating different categories of non-crop vegetation with variations in one or more soil characteristics; and then provides the soil characteristic map for user viewing on a display device.

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: An image-based position assessment method is performed in conjunction with a mechanism onboard an agricultural machine and containing a traveling component. In embodiments, the method includes receiving, at an image processing system, camera images captured by a diagnostic camera mounted to the agricultural machine. A field of view of the diagnostic camera at least partially encompasses an intended motion path along which the traveling component is configured to travel. The image processing system analyzes the camera images to determine whether a recorded time-dependent component position of the traveling component deviates excessively from an expected time-dependent component position of the traveling component, as taken along the intended motion path.

Abstract: A method of harvesting crop material includes capturing an image of a plurality of regions 28 of a field 50. The respective image of the regions 28 is analyzed to determine data related to constituent species of the crop material located within each of the regions 28. The data is associated with a region identifier 48 assigned to the respective one of the regions 28, and saved in a memory 42 of a computing device 30. The crop material in the field 50 is then harvested and formed into a bale. The harvested crop material formed into the bale is gathered from a subset 46 of the regions 28. A region identifier 48 of each of the regions 28 included in the subset 46 of the regions 28 is associated with the bale identifier 38, such that the data related to constituent species of the crop material included in the bale is associated with the bale and may be obtained by querying the computing device 30.