Variable rate discharge system for crop accumulator

A system for controlling the speed of a plurality of bales as they are discharged from a crop accumulator onto a field, the system comprising:

• a discharge mechanism configured to impart a desired rearward travel speed to the plurality of bales as they are being discharged from the crop accumulator in a side-by-side arrangement, wherein the discharge mechanism is a carriage assembly comprising a carriage and an electric motor for moving the carriage;
• a speed measurement device configured to measure a forward travel speed of the crop accumulator as it moves at the forward travel speed greater than zero;
• a GPS unit configured with at least one virtual trip line;
• and
• a processor in communication with the discharge mechanism, the speed measurement device, and the GPS unit, the processor operable to adjust at least one of the discharge mechanism for imparting the desired rearward travel speed and the forward travel speed of the crop accumulator, to discharge the plurality of bales with a rearward travel speed that is substantially the same as the forward travel speed, such that the plurality of bales contact the ground according to at least one of the following:
• on the virtual trip line, adjacent to the virtual trip line, in a zone defined by a predetermined distance from the virtual trip line, and outside of a zone defined by a predetermined distance from the virtual trip line.