Harvesters – Motorized harvester – With condition-responsive operation
Patent
1998-06-11
2000-06-13
Pezzuto, Robert E.
Harvesters
Motorized harvester
With condition-responsive operation
460 7, A01F 1250
Patent
active
060734272
ABSTRACT:
The present invention involves an apparatus for counting agricultural products being harvested. An agricultural implement has at least one harvesting element with a moisture detector installed proximate the harvesting element. The moisture detector has a detection range, whereby the moisture detector produces a signal when a moisture-containing product is located within the detection range. A counter is in communication with the moisture detector, which maintains a count of the signals. The moisture detector communicates the signal to the counter to increase the count. The apparatus is used to count a plurality of items being processed by first installing a moisture sensor with the agricultural equipment. Next, the counter is connected to the moisture sensor, with the counter being adapted to respond to the detectable signal from the sensor by incrementing the count. By processing the items by the agricultural equipment, the plurality of items thereby enter and exit the range of detection. Each of the items which enter and exit the range cause the sensor to produce the detectable signal. The counter receives each of the detectable signals and increases the count in response, whereby the count corresponds to the quantity of items being processed by the agricultural equipment. The said counter further comprises a reset switch, a relay element, and a counter element. The relay element comprises a digital relay. The moisture detector comprises a capacitive proximity switch. A detection surface of the moisture detector is disposed substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the harvesting element. The agricultural implement comprises a plurality of harvesting elements, and a plurality of moisture detectors are installed proximate to respective ones of the harvesting elements.
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