Harvesting machine with programmable inputs for header height and auxiliary function control

A harvesting machine comprising:

• a harvesting vehicle mounted on ground wheels for movement across ground carrying a crop for harvesting;
• a header having a cutter bar for cutting the crop and a crop transport device for transporting the cut crop to a collection location of the header;
• the transport device on the header includes a set of drapers which are variable in configuration between a central discharge configuration, a left side discharge configuration and a right side discharge configuration;
• a mounting assembly for carrying the header on the harvesting vehicle;
• a computer controller including a memory storing programming instructions thereon, operator inputs for receiving operator commands, and a processor for executing the programming instructions stored on the memory responsive to the operator commands received through the operator inputs;
• the operator inputs of the computer controller including a programmable input and at least one navigational input independent of the programmable input;
• and
• a plurality of operational actuators, each associated with a respective operating characteristic of the harvesting machine so as to be adapted to operate the operating characteristic at a selected operating value among a range of operating values as dictated by the computer controller;
• the programming instructions being executable by the processor so as to be arranged to:
• (i) enable an operator to select one or more of the operational characteristics to be associated with the programmable input responsive to one or more operator commands received through the at least one navigational input;
• (ii) assign a preset value within the range of operating values to at least one of the one or more operational characteristics associated with the programmable input based on a current operating value of the operational characteristic responsive to an operator command received through the programmable input;
• and
• (iii) generate command signals for the operational actuators to subsequently return each of the operational characteristics associated with the programmable input from the selected operating value to the assigned preset value when the programmable input is actuated by the operator;
• wherein
• one of the operational actuators comprises a header height actuator configured to adjust a height of the header relative to the harvesting vehicle by controllably varying the operating value and wherein the programming instructions are arranged to assign the preset value for the header responsive to the operator command received through the programmable input and generate a command signal to return the header from the selected operating value to the preset value when the programmable input is actuated by the operator;
• and wherein
• one of the operational actuators comprises a draper position actuator configured to vary the configuration of the drapers responsive to the operating value associated with the draper position actuator as dictated by the computer controller;
• and
• wherein the programming instructions are arranged to assign the preset value for the draper position actuator based on a current configuration of the drapers when the draper position actuator is associated with the programmable input, and generate a command signal to subsequently return the draper position actuator from the selected operating value to the preset value when the programmable input is actuated by the operator.

A harvesting machine comprising:

• a harvesting vehicle mounted on ground wheels for movement across ground carrying a crop for harvesting;
• a header having a cutter bar for cutting the crop and a crop transport device for transporting the cut crop to a collection location of the header;
• a mounting assembly for carrying the header on the harvesting vehicle;
• a computer controller including a memory storing programming instructions thereon, operator inputs for receiving operator commands, and a processor for executing the programming instructions stored on the memory responsive to the operator commands received through the operator inputs;
• the operator inputs of the computer controller including a programmable input and at least one navigational input independent of the programmable input;
• and
• a plurality of operational actuators, each associated with a respective operating characteristic of the harvesting machine so as to be adapted to operate the operating characteristic at a selected operating value among a range of operating values as dictated by the computer controller;
• the programming instructions being executable by the processor so as to be arranged to:
• (i) enable an operator to select one or more of the operational characteristics to be associated with the programmable input responsive to one or more operator commands received through the at least one navigational input;
• (ii) assign a preset value within the range of operating values to at least one of the one or more operational characteristics associated with the programmable input based on a current operating value of the operational characteristic responsive to an operator command received through the programmable input;
• and
• (iii) generate command signals for the operational actuators to subsequently return each of the operational characteristics associated with the programmable input from the selected operating value to the assigned preset value when the programmable input is actuated by the operator;
• wherein
• one of the operational actuators comprises a header height actuator configured to adjust a height of the header relative to the harvesting vehicle by controllably varying the operating value and wherein the programming instructions are arranged to assign the preset value for the header responsive to the operator command received through the programmable input and generate a command signal to return the header from the selected operating value to the preset value when the programmable input is actuated by the operator;
• wherein
• a crop compressor is supported on the harvesting vehicle for compressing a windrow deposited on the ground by the harvesting machine;
• wherein one of the operational actuators comprises a crop compressor height actuator configured to adjust a height of the crop compressor relative to the harvesting vehicle responsive to the operating value associated with the crop compressor as dictated by the computer controller;
• and
• wherein the programming instructions are arranged to assign the preset value for the crop compressor based on a current height of the compressor when the compressor height actuator is associated with the programmable input, and generate a command signal to subsequently return the crop compressor from the selected operating value to the preset value when the programmable input is actuated by the operator;
• and
• wherein the programming instructions are arranged to generate the command signal to return the crop compressor to the preset value upon expiry of a timed duration following generation of the command signal to return the header to the preset value in response to a single actuation of the programmable input.

A harvesting machine comprising:

• a harvesting vehicle mounted on ground wheels for movement across ground carrying a crop for harvesting;
• a header having a cutter bar for cutting the crop and a crop transport device for transporting the cut crop to a collection location of the header;
• a mounting assembly for carrying the header on the harvesting vehicle;
• a computer controller including a memory storing programming instructions thereon, operator inputs for receiving operator commands, and a processor for executing the programming instructions stored on the memory responsive to the operator commands received through the operator inputs;
• the operator inputs of the computer controller including a programmable input and at least one navigational input independent of the programmable input;
• and
• a plurality of operational actuators, each associated with a respective operating characteristic of the harvesting machine so as to be adapted to operate the operating characteristic at a selected operating value among a range of operating values as dictated by the computer controller;
• the programming instructions being executable by the processor so as to be arranged to:
• (i) enable an operator to select one or more of the operational characteristics to be associated with the programmable input responsive to one or more operator commands received through the at least one navigational input;
• (ii) assign a preset value within the range of operating values to at least one of the one or more operational characteristics associated with the programmable input based on a current operating value of the operational characteristic responsive to an operator command received through the programmable input;
• and
• (iii) generate command signals for the operational actuators to subsequently return each of the operational characteristics associated with the programmable input from the selected operating value to the assigned preset value when the programmable input is actuated by the operator;
• wherein
• one of the operational actuators comprises a header height actuator configured to adjust a height of the header relative to the harvesting vehicle by controllably varying the operating value and wherein the programming instructions are arranged to assign the preset value for the header responsive to the operator command received through the programmable input and generate a command signal to return the header from the selected operating value to the preset value when the programmable input is actuated by the operator;
• wherein
• a double windrow attachment is supported on the harvesting vehicle for transporting the cut crop from the collection location on the header to an offset location towards one end of the header;
• wherein one of the operational actuators comprises a double windrow attachment position actuator configured to adjust a position of the double windrow attachment relative to the harvesting vehicle responsive to the operating value associated with the double windrow attachment as dictated by the computer controller;
• and
• wherein the programming instructions are arranged to assign the preset value for the double windrow attachment responsive to the operator command received through the programmable input, and generate a command signal to subsequently return the double windrow attachment from the selected operating value to the preset value when the programmable input is actuated by the operator;
• and wherein
• the programming instructions are arranged to generate the command signal to return the double windrow attachment position actuator to the preset value upon expiry of a timed duration following generation of the command signal to return the operating value of the header to the preset value in response to a single actuation of the programmable input.