Monitoring of a forage harvester using multiple sensor fusion

Abstract. An experimental hydraulic drive was designed for a pull-type F41 Dion forage harvester that can measure and control the speed and load of the feed-rolls. The sensors that were placed on the experimental harvester included: (1) four hydraulic pressure sensors to measure pressure at the input and output lines of the feedroll and header motors; (2) four inductive proximity sensors to measure motor speed, and (3) a potentiometer sensor to measure crop mass flow. The sensor power outputs were correlated with the experimental mass flowrate for each feedroll and header. Throughput and feedroll opening were affected by forward speed. Increased forward speed increased throughput and feedroll opening. The experimental results can be used to optimize the size of the drive components and facilitated the development of a precise throughput monitoring. The novel outcome is an optional yield sensor or throughput measurement that would be useful for in-field operation and other features.