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.

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: An agricultural machine includes a float cylinder interconnecting a header linkage system and a frame. A rod side accumulator is in fluid communication with a rod side fluid port of the float cylinder. A float control valve is selectively controllable between an open position allowing fluid communication between a pressure source and the rod side accumulator, and a closed position blocking fluid communication between the pressure source and the rod side accumulator. A downforce accumulator is in fluid communication with a piston side fluid port of the float cylinder. A downforce control valve is selectively controllable between an open position allowing fluid communication between the pressure source and the downforce accumulator, and a closed position blocking fluid communication between the pressure source and the downforce accumulator.

Abstract: A baler includes a housing forming a baling chamber. The baling chamber includes an inlet defining an inlet width. The inlet width extends substantially across the baling chamber, between a first lateral side and a second lateral side. A crop distributor defines a distributor width and includes a forward end and a rearward end. The distributor width is substantially less than the inlet width. One of the baling chamber and the crop distributor is moveable relative to the other of the baling chamber and the crop distributor, such that the rearward end of the crop distributor is laterally moveable, relative to the inlet of the baling chamber, between the first lateral side and the second lateral side. Lateral movement of the rearward end of the crop distributor relative to the baling chamber distributes the cut crop material across the inlet width of the baling chamber.

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 roll gap optimization process is performed in conjunction with a roller conditioner system containing conditioner rolls. In embodiments, the process includes receiving, at a processor architecture, pre-conditioned crop images of a forage crop captured at a visually-sampled field location prior to intake of the forage crop into the roller conditioner system. The pre-conditioned crop images are analyzed to estimate an average stem dimension of the forage crop, and a roll gap width target is determined as a function of the average stem dimension. The processor architecture further performs one or more of: (i) automatically adjusting a width of the roll gap to substantially match the roll gap width target utilizing a roller adjustment mechanism included in the roller conditioner system, and (ii) displaying the roll gap width target on a display device contained in or otherwise coupled to the processor architecture for operator viewing.

Abstract: A baler implement includes a lower passage wall defining a lower boundary of a pre-compression passageway. The lower passage wall includes a forward portion and an access panel. A pivotable connection interconnects the forward portion and the access panel at a lower and forward transverse edge of the access panel such that a rearward and upper transverse edge of the access panel moves vertically to provide access into the pre-compression passageway. Access is obtained from the rear of the baler implement, between the rearward transverse edge of the access panel and a bottom wall of the compression chamber, without the access panel hanging down from the compression chamber and obscuring access into the pre-compression passageway.

Abstract: Agricultural harvesting machines and methods of operation thereof are disclosed herein. A harvesting machine includes a main frame, a drive mechanism, a plunger, and a linkage system. The drive mechanism is coupled to the main frame and has at least one crank arm that is rotatable about a crank arm axis. The plunger is movable along a longitudinal axis in a compression chamber between a de-stroked position and a stroked position that is located rearward of the de-stroked position along the longitudinal axis. The linkage system couples the plunger to the main frame.

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: 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 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: An agricultural machine includes a float cylinder interconnecting a header linkage system and a frame. A rod side accumulator is in fluid communication with a rod side fluid port of the float cylinder. A float control valve is selectively controllable between an open position allowing fluid communication between a pressure source and the rod side accumulator, and a closed position blocking fluid communication between the pressure source and the rod side accumulator. A downforce accumulator is in fluid communication with a piston side fluid port of the float cylinder. A downforce control valve controls fluid communication between the pressure source and the downforce accumulator. A downforce return valve controls fluid communication between the downforce accumulator and the tank.

Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a float cylinder interconnecting a header linkage system and a frame. A rod side accumulator is in fluid communication with a rod side fluid port of the float cylinder. A float control valve is selectively controllable between an open position allowing fluid communication between a pressure source and the rod side accumulator, and a closed position blocking fluid communication between the pressure source and the rod side accumulator. A downforce accumulator is in fluid communication with a piston side fluid port of the float cylinder. A downforce control valve is selectively controllable between an open position allowing fluid communication between the pressure source and the downforce accumulator, and a closed position blocking fluid communication between the pressure source and the downforce accumulator.

Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a controller disposed in communication with a implement linkage system, an output, and an input. The controller is operable to identify a selected work implement from a plurality of different work implements. A desired operating condition is then solicited from an operator via the output. A selection command is received from the operator via the input indicating which of a float operating condition and a fixed height operating condition is the desired operating condition. The controller may then automatically determine a recommended operating setting for the implement linkage system for the selected work implement and the desired operating condition and notify the operator of the recommended operating setting for the implement linkage system for the selected work implement and the desired operating condition via the output.

Abstract: A baler includes a body, and a wrap system that is attached to the body. The wrap system is operable to support a roll of wrap material in an installed position. A cover is attached to the body, and is moveable between an open position and a closed position. When in open position, the cover provides access to the wrap system from an exterior location. When in the closed position, the cover encloses the wrap system from the exterior location. The baler includes a lift system attached to the body. The lift system is concealed between the body and the cover when the cover is disposed in the closed position. The lift system is positioned below the cover when the cover is disposed in the open position. The lift system raises the roll of wrap material into the installed position.

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: 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 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 surface feature of the crop material of the initial bale. The identified unique surface feature is associated with the initial bale with the computing device. Data related to the initial bale is associated with the identified unique surface feature of the crop material. The identified unique surface feature 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 surface feature, thereby identifying the bale in the second image as the initial bale. The data associated with the initial bale may then be retrieved.

Abstract: A compactor includes a frame supporting a first roller assembly and a second roller assembly. At least one of the first roller assembly and the second roller assembly is moveable relative to the frame in a motion that includes an upward vertical component and a downward vertical component. An actuator is coupled to at least one of the first and second roller assemblies and is operable to repeatedly move at least one of the roller assemblies relative to the frame in both the upward vertical component and the downward vertical component to oscillate the roller assemblies relative to each other.