Deere + Company

Austin J Karst

Timothy James Kraus

Jason J Wanner

David V Rotole

Thomas D Morrison

Tyler J Bouslog

A work vehicle includes a chassis, and a work implement movably coupled to the chassis, the work implement configured to perform a field-engaging function. The work vehicle also includes an actuator coupled to the work implement and configured to adjust a position of the work implement relative to a ground surface, and a controller in communication with a communication module. The controller is configured to monitor a location of the work machine via the communication module, and load a field map that identifies spatial information about a corresponding field, and a characteristic of the actuator associated with the spatial information. The controller is further configured to partition the spatial information into at least one pass traversable by the work machine. The controller is also configured to create an adjustment event to adjust the actuator in response to the location of the work machine moving within the at least one pass.

Automated header float optimization and field learning for a work vehicle

A steering system for controlling an agricultural machine having a pair of front and rear wheels includes a controller and a steer input sensor for detecting a change in an operator steer input corresponding to a steer command. The system includes a displacement input for communicating a motor displacement associated with an operating mode. A primary differential steering system includes a drive motor for operably controlling the pair of front wheels and a secondary steering system controls the pair of rear wheels. The controller determines if the motor displacement is being controlled according to a first motor displacement or a second motor displacement, and outputs a control signal to actuate first and second actuators as a function of the steer command. The control signal includes a rear steering gain that is a function of machine speed and either the first motor displacement or the second motor displacement.

Method of controlling a differential motor torque steering system of a working machine and system thereof

A work vehicle includes a chassis, and a work implement movably coupled to the chassis and configured to perform a field-engaging function. The work machine also includes an actuator coupled to the work implement and configured to adjust a position of the work implement relative to a ground surface. The work machine further includes a controller in communication with an output device and a communication module. The controller is configured to monitor a location of the work machine via the communication module. The controller is also configured to load a field map from a field map database, the field map identifying at least one impact event comprising a geotagged location. The controller is further configured to display an alert via the output device in response to the location of the work machine approaching within a predetermined distance from the geotagged location.

Tilt system field learning and optimization for a work vehicle

A work machine includes a chassis, and a work implement movably coupled to the chassis and configured to perform a field-engaging function. The work machine also includes an actuator coupled to the work implement and configured to adjust a position of the work implement relative to a ground surface. The work machine further includes a sensor unit configured to sense a characteristic of the work machine and communicate a signal indicative of the characteristic. The work machine also includes a communication module, and a controller in communication with the sensor unit and the communication module, the controller including a processor and memory. The controller is configured to monitor a location of the work machine, process the signal from the sensor unit to monitor the characteristic, determine whether the characteristic exceeds an acceptable range, and if so, identify an event, and assign a location to the event.

Obstacle detection and field mapping for a work vehicle

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.

Work vehicle having a cutter assembly with a pre-loaded gear train and method of controlling same

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.

Methods and systems for automatic control of bulk material removal

A steering system for controlling an agricultural machine having a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels includes a controller, an operator steer input for communicating a steer command, a steer input sensor for detecting and outputting the steer command to the controller, a primary differential steering system for operably controlling the pair of front wheels, and a secondary steering system for operably controlling the pair of rear wheels. The secondary steering system includes a first actuator for controlling a first rear wheel and a second actuator for controlling a second rear wheel. The primary differential steering system is controlled based on the steer command. The controller outputs a control signal to operably actuate the first and second actuators at a non-linear steering gain rate as a function of the steer command.

Method of a variable steering response for different steering operations of a working machine and system thereof

A hydraulic system for controlling a pair of steerable caster wheels includes a left side actuator and a right side actuator. A rear steering control valve is moveable between a first state for disabling direct control of the left and side actuators and a second state for enabling direct control the left and right side actuators to provide a steer response. A fluid connection continuously connects the pressure source and the fluidic tie rod fluid circuit in fluid communication when the rear steering control valve is disposed in one of the first state and the second state to continuously supply the pressurized fluid to the fluidic tie rod fluid circuit.

Hydraulic system for work machine with steerable rear wheels

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.

Windrower variable rate header floatation system

Systems and methods are disclosed herein for fluid temperature-dependent control of engine speeds in a self-propelled work vehicle. An engine speed sensor generates signals representing an engine speed, and a temperature sensor generates signals representing a hydraulic fluid temperature. A controller receives the respective signals from the engine speed sensor and the temperature sensor. The controller is further configured, responsive to a startup command, to generate output signals preventing an increase in the engine speed to a target engine speed at least while the temperature of the hydraulic fluid is in a first temperature state. The controller may, e.g., automatically generate output signals for continuous and/or stepwise transitioning of the engine speed to the target engine speed, in accordance with a monitored temperature of the hydraulic fluid and corresponding temperature states.

Hydraulic fluid temperature-dependent control of engine speeds in self-propelled work vehicles

A hydraulic system for controlling a pair of steerable caster wheels of an agricultural machine includes a fluidic tie rod fluid circuit interconnecting both a left side actuator and a right side actuator with a rear steering control valve in fluid communication, and forming a fluid tie rod between the left side actuator and the right side actuator. A tie rod control valve is disposed in the fluidic tie rod fluid circuit and is controllable between a first position allowing fluid communication through the fluidic tie rod fluid circuit to communicate fluid between the left side actuator, the right side actuator, and the rear steering control valve and a second position blocking fluid communication to the rear steering control valve while connecting the left side actuator and the right side actuator in fluid communication to increase stiffness of the fluid tie rod therebetween.

Rear steering hydraulic system

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.

Windrower header floatation system having assisted downforce control

A float cylinder is coupled to an accumulator by a first hydraulic fluid conduit. The float cylinder and accumulator are coupled to apply a float force on a header main frame.

Controlled or tuned float on an agricultural harvester to modify float response

A method of diagnosing a hydrostatic transmission system includes defining an initial charge pressure of a charge pump at a defined operating position of a primary pump. The primary pump is controlled to operate at the defined operating position. A current charge pressure from the charge pump is sensed when the primary pump is operating at the defined operating position. A pressure difference between the initial charge pressure of the charge pump and the current charge pressure of the charge pump is calculated and correlated to a system state of health of the hydrostatic transmission system.

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Ottumwa, IA, United States of America

Austin J Karst