Deere + Company

Andrew W Kahler

Travis A Shekleton

Kyle T Martin

Nilesh Kumbhar

Mark John Cherney

Richard John Lawler

Matthew J Flood

Thomas H Ward

Giovanni Ananda Wuisan

Nilesh T Kumbhar

Jeff Ekins

Jeffrey R Ekins

Zimin W Vilar

Sean Mairet

Jonathan Spendlove

Slade Shepard

Alex J Anhalt

A system and method are provided for assisted positioning of a loading container of a transport vehicle with respect to a work machine during material loading operations. A target loading position is determined for at least the loading container relative to at least an undercarriage of the work machine. The target loading position may be based on user input, and/or automatically determined based on a selected swing angle or range for an implement (e.g., boom assembly), a distance from the work machine, etc. Output signals are generated corresponding to the target loading position, and optionally to a determined route of travel corresponding to a current position of the transport vehicle and the target loading position for at least the loading container.

System and method for assisted positioning of transport vehicles relative to a work machine during material loading

A method includes controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to collect and forward information pertaining to a forestry worksite area. The UAV is controlled to fly to a first location and capture image information at the first location. The UAV is also controlled to fly to a second location, establish a communication connection between the UAV and a communication system at the second location, and send the captured image information to the communication system via the established connection. In another example, the UAV uploads (e.g., sends) the data to a communication system (e.g., computing device operated by an operator), and the uploaded data is further sent to a remote computing system (e.g., a forestry analysis system).

Using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones) in forestry machine-connectivity applications

A method includes controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle to fly over a forestry worksite and capture imagery information with an image capture component. The imagery information is used to generate a set of ground disturbance metrics, each having a value indicative of a measure of ground disturbance at a different geographic location in the forestry worksite. Alternatively, the imagery information is used to generate a set of slope metrics or a firefighting metric. According to the ground disturbance, slope, and firefighting metrics, the method is used to generate an action signal, such as an action signal that controls movement of a mobile machine operating at the forestry worksite, among others.

Using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones) in forestry imaging and assessment applications

A method includes generating an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) control signal to fly the UAV over a worksite and capture imagery information at different geographic locations. The imagery information is used to generate a tree inventory metric that indicates a tree inventory at the worksite, or is used to generate a productivity metric that identifies a productivity category for a geographic location at the worksite. The method also generates an action signal based on the tree inventory metric or productivity metric, such as an action signal to deploy machines to different geographic location, or an action signal to update a worksite completion metric.

Using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones) in forestry productivity and control applications

A lift linkage assembly for a work machine having a work tool. The lift linkage assembly includes a frame, a boom arm, an upper link, a lower link, and a hydraulic actuator. The boom arm is configured to be pivotally coupled to the work tool and has a surface that defines a longitudinal axis. The upper link has a first end pivotally coupled to the frame and a second end pivotally coupled to the boom arm. The lower link has a first end pivotally coupled to the frame and a second end pivotally coupled to the boom arm. The hydraulic actuator has a rod that is pivotally coupled to the boom arm and moves between a retracted position and an extended position. The upper link, lower link, and hydraulic actuator are each spaced from the longitudinal axis.

Skid steer loader lift linkage assembly

Work vehicle

Work vehicle boom

Growing community of inventors

Moline, IL, United States of America

Andrew W Kahler