Windrower implement with automatic merger attachment control

A windrower implement comprising:

• a frame extending along a central longitudinal axis between a forward end and a rearward end relative to a direction of travel during operation;
• an implement head attached to the frame proximate the forward end thereof, wherein the implement head is operable to cut standing crop material and discharge cut crop material in a rearward direction along the central longitudinal axis;
• a merger attachment coupled to the frame rearward of the implement head, wherein the merger attachment is moveable between a deployed position in which the merger attachment is positioned relative to the implement head to receive discharged crop material from the implement head and convey the crop material laterally relative to the central longitudinal axis to form a windrow laterally offset from the central longitudinal axis, and a stowed position in which the merger attachment is positioned relative to the implement head to not receive discharged crop material from the implement head to form the windrow substantially aligned with the central longitudinal axis along a center line of the frame;
• a merger controller operatively coupled to the merger attachment for controlling movement of the merger attachment between the deployed position and the stowed position, the merger controller having a processor and a memory having a merger control algorithm stored thereon, wherein the processor is operable to execute the merger control algorithm to:
• receive a user command selecting one of a single pass windrow configuration in which the windrow is formed from a belly pass, and a double pass windrow configuration in which the windrow is formed from the belly pass and a first merger pass;
• automatically control the merger attachment into the deployed position when executing the first merger pass when the double pass windrow configuration is selected.

A method of operating a windrower implement, the method comprising:

• entering a user command into a merger controller via an input device to select one of a single pass windrow configuration in which a windrow is formed from a belly pass, a double pass windrow configuration in which the windrow is formed from the belly pass and a first merger pass, or a triple pass windrow configuration in which the windrow is formed from the belly pass, the first merger pass and a second merger pass;
• determining a beginning of the belly pass;
• controlling a merger attachment into a stowed position at the beginning of the belly pass when any one of the single pass windrow configuration, the double pass windrow configuration, or the triple pass windrow configuration are selected;
• determining a beginning of the first merger pass;
• automatically controlling, with the merger controller, the merger attachment into a deployed position at the beginning of the first merger pass when one of the double pass windrow configuration or the triple windrow configuration are selected.