AGCO Intellectual Property Department

A vehicle includes an engine and an exhaust gas outlet assembly (210) comprising an exhaust outlet pipe (208) surrounded by a tubular heatshield (209) spaced from the exhaust outlet pipe. At least one divider (220a, 220b) extends between the exhaust outlet pipe and the heatshield to divide an interior volume (216) between the exhaust outlet pipe and the heatshield into two or more sections (216a, 216b, 216c), each section containing a column of air (215a, 215b, 215c). The dividers (220) are positioned so that the resonant frequencies of the columns of air do not correspond with a predetermined frequency of the engine. The predetermined frequency of the engine is generally one that arises when the vehicle is in use carrying out tasks for prolong periods of time.

A mechanism for predicting a fill level of a container. Image data of the interior of the container is received and processed to identify a representation (in the image data) of an interface between agricultural material, gas and the container. The representation of the target interface is processed in a first prediction process to produce an interface-derived fill level of the container. This interface-derived fill level of the container is processed to predict the fill level of the container.

A support assembly for supporting a vehicle chassis on a wheel of the vehicle, the support assembly being configured to act as a suspension element of the vehicle through a pneumatic spring when a suspension lock is in a locked position and an axle lock is in an unlocked position, and the support assembly being configured to shift the clearance of the vehicle's chassis between a low clearance condition and a high clearance condition, the shifting comprising alternately changing the axle lock and the suspension lock between a locked position and an unlocked position while alternately inflating and deflating the pneumatic spring.

A mechanism and method for determining a runout time for one or more sub-volumes of an interior volume (111) of a container (110) carrying pourable agricultural material (190). A distance determining system (120) is used to determine a distance to multiple points (121-125) on an exposed surface (191) of the agricultural material. A flow rate monitoring system (130) is used to determine one or more flow rates in different parts of the interior volume of the container. The determined flow rate(s) and the determined distance(s) are processed to predict or estimate the runout time(s) for the one or more sub-volumes.

A mechanism for determining an intended flow rate of fluid pumped by a pumping arrangement for an agricultural vehicle. A processing system processes a set of parameters to produce the intended flow rate of fluid. The set of parameters comprises a measured pressure of the fluid, a duty cycle of the pumping arrangement and an indicator of a size of an orifice through which the fluid exits the pumping arrangement.

A mechanism for determining a density of crop stored by a crop bin (390). Volume information and mass information of the crop is generated and processed to determine or derive the density of crop.

An agricultural implement includes a main frame having a support bar oriented in a direction generally transverse to a direction of travel when the implement is used to work a field; a plurality of rotating ground-engaging elements aligned along a length of the support bar, and a plurality of bearing caps. Each of the ground-engaging elements is configured to rotate about an axle, and each bearing cap is coupled to one of the ground-engaging elements. Each bearing cap includes an inertial sensor configured to measure an angular motion of the ground-engaging element and a transmitter configured to transmit the angular motion. Each bearing cap is configured to seal an interface between the ground-engaging element and corresponding axle. Related methods are also disclosed.

A system for monitoring and tracking one or more crop properties associated with a batch of crop material processed by a harvesting machine. The harvesting machine is provided with a crop quality sensor 24 having a sensing region which covers crop material processed by the harvesting machine or components thereof. A tracking sensor is operably coupled to the harvester and includes a sensing region which comprises, at least in part, an external environment of the harvester 2. Data from the crop quality sensor 24 is used to determine a quality measurement associated with a batch of crop material, and sensor data received from the tracking sensor 32 is used to determine an identity of a support vehicle within the environment of the harvester. An association is made between a given batch with a given crop property to a given identified support vehicle.

A system for monitoring and tracking one or more crop properties associated with a batch of crop material processed by a harvesting machine. The harvesting machine is provided with a crop quality sensor 24 having a sensing region which covers crop material processed by the harvesting machine or components thereof. A tracking sensor is operably coupled to the harvester and includes a sensing region which comprises, at least in part, an external environment of the harvester 2. Data from the crop quality sensor 24 is used to determine a quality measurement associated with a batch of crop material, and sensor data received from the tracking sensor 32 is used to determine an identity of a support vehicle within the environment of the harvester. The crop property(ies) is used to generate an operational plan for the identified support vehicle.

A system for monitoring and tracking one or more crop properties associated with a batch of crop material processed by a harvesting machine. The harvesting machine is provided with a crop quality sensor 24 having a sensing region which covers crop material processed by the harvesting machine or components thereof. A tracking sensor is operably coupled to the harvester and includes a sensing region which comprises, at least in part, an external environment of the harvester 2. Data from the crop quality sensor 24 is used to determine a quality measurement associated with a batch of crop material, and sensor data received from the tracking sensor 32 is used to determine an identity of a support vehicle within the environment of the harvester. A graphical representation is provided in dependence on the crop property(ies) and an associated support vehicle.