Combine head position control system with float override

• Main Authors: MILENDER; JEFFREY S, PANOUSHEK; DALE W
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 05.12.1995
• Edition: 6
• Subjects: AGRICULTURE; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; FISHING; FORESTRY; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; HARVESTING; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HUNTING; MOWING; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ARTCOLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS; TRAPPING

An electronic control system for controlling the position of a combine harvesting head operable over a surface is disclosed herein. The position is normally controlled based upon the monitored position of the head. However, the position is controlled based upon the force or pressure at which the surface is supporting the implement if this force exceeds a predetermined limit. Thus, the system provides for float control override of position control. In particular, a hydraulic positioning assembly positions the head relative to the combine based upon control signals produced by a digital control circuit. The digital control circuit monitors digital signals representative of the head position and the force at which the surface is supporting the head, and compares these signals with digital setpoint data. Based upon the comparison, the control circuit produces control signals for causing the positioning assembly to raise or lower the harvesting head relative to the surface based upon force when the force limit is exceeded and based upon position when the force is below the force limit.