Deere + Company

Richard John Lawler

Mark John Cherney

Bryon P Neumann

Andrew W Kahler

Matthew J Flood

Brett James Kaye

Syed Gouse Moiddin

Michael Francis James

Akshay Kumar

Harshal Deore

Clinton Charles Marriage

A work machine extending in a fore-aft direction includes a frame, a ground-engaging mechanism, a boom assembly to the frame, and a traction assist apparatus. The ground-engaging mechanism is configured to support the frame on a surface. The traction assist apparatus is coupled to the boom assembly. The traction assist apparatus has an attachment point for securing a tether.

Traction assist apparatus and method for a work machine

Method, apparatus, and system for operation of a timber-working device configured to perform at least one operation having an associated hazard zone. At least one signal from at least one orientation sensor associated with the timber-working head may indicate whether a predetermined location is within the hazard zone based on the orientation of the timber-working head. Operation of the timber-working head can be controlled based on the signal.

Method, apparatus, and system for controlling a timber-working device

A hitch mechanism for a work vehicle configured for operation on slopes. The hitch mechanism couplable to a tether fixed in position up the slope. An arm extends outwardly and upwardly from the work vehicle frame and supports a tether engaging structure couplable to the tether. The arm is mounted to the frame structure beneath the body portion of the work vehicle and extends rearwardly from the frame to support the tether engaging structure rearwardly of the body portion and rearwardly of the ground engaging drive mechanism. The hitch includes a pivot structure coupling the arm to the frame that allows the arm to pivot about a horizontal axis such that the arm is shiftable vertically. A controller receives inputs corresponding to at least one vehicle parameter and is operatively coupled to an actuator for causing the arm to shift in response to changes in the vehicle parameter.

Hitch mechanism

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 stability warning system for a tree feller-buncher includes a first inertial measurement unit configured to measure an orientation of an undercarriage of the tree feller-buncher carrying at least one track, a second inertial measurement unit configured to measure an orientation of a boom coupled to the turntable, and a felling head operably connected to the boom. A controller is operable to estimate a center of gravity of the tree feller-buncher based on the measured orientation of the undercarriage and the measured orientation of the boom.

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Dubuque, IA, United States of America

Richard John Lawler