Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Field #3
Boom section control
Nozzle off
Nozzle on
FIGURE 5.8
Map summarizing the effects of the addition of ASC to an agricultural sprayer
operating in an irregular shaped field in Central Kentucky. Black areas depict regions of the
field where ASC prohibits overlap application arising from the spray boom passing over pre-
viously treated areas.
5.7 HARVEST AUTOMATION
Over the past two decades, yield monitors have been one of the most noteworthy
developments in harvest technology. Manufacturers continue to improve these sys-
tems to provide yield and moisture measurements to the operator during harvesting
operations as well as computer software for postprocessing. Many producers use
automatic steering systems on harvesters to improve field efficiency. Most systems
rely on GNSS for guidance; however, systems have been developed that sense the
stalks at the header to improve automated steering while harvesting corn (Deere and
Company, 2010b).
Improving grain quality and reducing grain loss is another method that producers
can use to increase overall harvest efficiency. The development of hillside harvest-
ers actually helped to improve cleaning capacity on steeper slopes, and harvesters
are now offered by manufacturers (including Deere and New Holland) that have
self-leveling cleaning shoes. Another recent innovation is the Intellicruise™ system
by New Holland, which monitors header feeding load and adjusts harvester speed
to maximize the throughput of crop material. This system specifies the load status
of the machine, which has typically been observed by the operator (New Holland,
2010c).
Benson et al. (2003) developed an algorithm to guide a grain harvester based on
the lateral position of the cut and uncut crop edge. In this work, the images of the
