A combine performance monitor includes a programmed, special purpose computer coupled to a plurality of sensors for detecting a plurality of different operating conditions in a combine. The special purpose computer cooperates with operator accessible controls for calculating a plurality of predetermined performance parameters of the combine in accordance with signals from the sensors. The computer is further responsive to actuation of the controls by the operator for modifying the program so as to customize the combine performance monitor for operation with any combine selected, for operation with the particular sensors utilized in that combine selected and for operation of the selected sensors and combine in harvesting a particular grain.

Combine performance monitor

A modular monitoring and control system is provided for an agricultural machine such as a combine. The system includes an executive processing unit which is capable of cooperating with one or more monitoring and/or control modules, which module may be added to or deleted from the system for performing monitoring and control functions as desired by a particular operator. Conveniently, a video display unit provides alphanumeric display information to the operator regarding both the monitored and controlled functions of the combine machine as well as instructional messages for purposes of calibrating the monitoring and control system for operation with a particular combine. Moreover, the operator may select for a display in alphanumeric form suitable instructional information regarding any malfunctions of the combine and counter during operation and instructions for the correction thereof.

Combine data center

A method and control system for an agricultural harvester having a frame and a cut crop receiving header coupled to a hydraulic cylinder. The header has a cutter pivotably mounted on its bottom. The header has a height relative to the frame that is adjusted by applying fluid under pressure to the cylinder. A first control valve is fluidly coupled to the cylinder and responsive to a first input signal for increasing fluid pressure in the cylinder to raise the header. A second control valve is fluidly coupled to the cylinder and responsive to a second input signal for reducing fluid pressure in the cylinder to lower the header. An electrical flex angle signal is produced, representing a flex angle between the bottom of the header and the cutter. A plurality of local maximum and minimum values of the flex angle signal are measured as the cutter passes over respective maxima and minima of a height of the ground relative to the frame. The local maximum and minimum values are identified and stored. A fuzzy inferring device determines the first and second input signals by fuzzy inference based on the plurality of local maximum and minimum values.

Agricultural harvester ground tracking control system and method using fuzzy logic

A combine harvester having an engine, a traction drive transmission, a header, and a threshing and separating mechanism, is disclosed wherein the combine is provided with a machine throughput control system including a machine loading control loop operable to produce a signal representative of machine loading, and a grain loss control loop operable to produce a signal representative of grain loss. A grain loss controller is continuously operable to establish a causal relationship between machine loading and grain loss. The machine loading signal, the causal relationship current with that machine loading signal, and a reference loss signal is applied to the grain loss controller to derive a reference machine loading signal. A machine loading error signal, produced by summing the representative machine loading signal and the reference machine loading signal, is used to control the machine throughput.

Combine ground speed control system

A position control for a crop pickup device which is mounted for vertical movement relative to an agricultural harvester. A measuring device is provided for determining the distance from the crop pickup device to the ground, wherein the position of the crop pickup device relative to the ground is adjustable by one control device as a function of the measured ground distance. The distance to the ground is determined by the measuring device at two points spaced from each other in the direction of travel. As a result, advantageously the inclination of the ground can be determined and used for optimized control of ground simulation of the crop pickup device. Additionally, the cutting angle can be adapted automatically to the slope of the ground, to avoid crop losses and impede damage to the grain header.

Position control for a crop pickup device

A closed-loop height control for the header of a combine harvester permits adjustment of height setpoint and deadband from the operator's platform without stopping the combine. A variable capacitance is rotated in accordance with minimum clearance between header and ground to generate a continuous electrical header height signal which is compared to a setpoint signal indicative of desired header height to derive a height error signal whose value is at a null level when actual header height is equal to desired height indicated by the setpoint signal and which deviates in both magnitude and direction from the null level as a function of the variation between actual header height and setpoint height. Raise and lower command signals are derived in response to a predetermined deviation of the height error signal in opposite directions respectively from the null level by first and second Schmitt trigger circuits having switching levels which respectively are greater than and less than the null value. A logic circuit controls transmittal of the raise and lower command signals to electrohydraulic power means for raising and lowering the header, and the operator need only actuate a single raise-lower switch at the operator's platform to select whether the logic circuit is in an automatic mode in which the command signals are transmitted or a standby mode in which they are blocked from the power means.

Closed-loop combine header height control

A grain loss monitor for a combine harvester derives a grain loss rate signal in accordance with the number of grains impinging on a transducer and a ground speed signal proportional to the ground speed of the combine and divides the former by the latter to derive an analog of grain loss per unit area which is independent of time. The preferred embodiment includes a one-shot multivibrator which is triggered to its unstable state to generate a fixed width pulse each time a grain kernel strikes the transducer, a tachometer coupled to the combine wheels and a period timed integrator triggered by tachometer pulses for deriving a unidirectional ground speed voltage inversely proportional to frequency of the tachometer pulses, a pulse frequency modulation chopper circuit turned on and off by the fixed width one-shot pulses and having its peak voltage controlled by the unidirectional ground speed signal for accomplishing division of grain loss rate by combine ground speed, and an averaging circuit for determining the average voltage of the chopper output pulses as an analog of grain loss per unit area.

Edwin M. Northup

Papers

Closed-loop combine header height control

Grain loss monitor