Ground contour sensing system for crop mowing head

A ground contour sensing system for a vehicle with a mowing head that moves across the ground, the mowing head having a front, a rear, and a tilt cylinder configured to tilt the front of the mowing head relative to the rear of the mowing head, the ground contour sensing system comprising:

• a first sensor system configured to measure a first ground contour of the ground in front of the mowing head, and to generate first contour measurement signals, where the first contour measurement signals are in a range that comprises a normal region between an upper tilt threshold and a lower tilt threshold, an upper tilt adjustment region between the upper tilt threshold and an upper lift threshold, and a lower tilt adjustment region between the lower tilt threshold and a lower lift threshold;
• a controller configured to receive the first contour measurement signals, and to determine whether to move the mowing head based on the first contour measurement signals;
• wherein the first sensor system comprises a first connection arm and a first angle sensor, where the first connection arm has a proximal end coupled to the mowing head and a distal end that extends forward beyond the front of the mowing head, and the first angle sensor is coupled to the distal end of the first connection arm such that the first angle sensor is forward beyond the front of the mowing head and the first angle sensor is configured to generate the first contour measurement signals;
• and
• wherein when the first contour measurement signals are greater than the upper tilt threshold the controller is configured to generate and send movement commands to the tilt cylinder to raise the front of the mowing head relative to the rear of the mowing head, and when the first contour measurement signals are less than the lower tilt threshold the controller is configured to generate and send movement commands to the tilt cylinder to lower the front of the mowing head relative to the rear of the mowing head.