WO2010003421A1 - Method for optimizing harvesting of crops - Google Patents

Method for optimizing harvesting of crops Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010003421A1
WO2010003421A1 PCT/DK2009/050150 DK2009050150W WO2010003421A1 WO 2010003421 A1 WO2010003421 A1 WO 2010003421A1 DK 2009050150 W DK2009050150 W DK 2009050150W WO 2010003421 A1 WO2010003421 A1 WO 2010003421A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
crop
moisture content
field
mobile unit
biomass
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/DK2009/050150
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Ole Green
Rasmus Nyholm JØRGENSEN
René GISLUM
Claus Aage Grøn SØRENSEN
Original Assignee
Aarhus Universitet
Syddansk Universitet
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Aarhus Universitet, Syddansk Universitet filed Critical Aarhus Universitet
Publication of WO2010003421A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010003421A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
    • A01D91/00—Methods for harvesting agricultural products
    • A01D91/04—Products growing above the soil
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01B—SOIL WORKING IN AGRICULTURE OR FORESTRY; PARTS, DETAILS, OR ACCESSORIES OF AGRICULTURAL MACHINES OR IMPLEMENTS, IN GENERAL
    • A01B79/00—Methods for working soil
    • A01B79/005—Precision agriculture

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method of optimizing harvesting of crops of the kind of crops which may be self dried on a field, and will be explained particularly for a method of optimizing harvesting of grass.
  • the present invention will be explained in an embodiment related to grass production, or at least related to harvesting of grass.
  • grass production or at least related to harvesting of grass.
  • WO 00/52991 discloses a device for accommodating and conditioning plants cultivated in cultivation areas, especially forage plants.
  • the device comprises a plant accommodating system for accommodating plant stock, a drying system for drying the accommodated plant stock, a compacting system for converting the conditioned plant stock into piece units, an analysis system for determining defined plant parameters, as well as comprising a dosing device which is provided for dosing additives and which operates subject to the analysis system.
  • the device disclosed in WO 00/52991 may be seen to have the disadvantage that an extensive amount of energy is possibly used for the drying system.
  • US 6,444,975 there is disclosed a method of partial area-specific-fertilization of plants which, under natural light during the fertilizer application, the chlorophyll content of the plants is ascertained by means of sensors by optical reflection measurement in the visible and near infrared spectral range, the chlorophyll content is registered and from the chlorophyll content a measurement of the nutrient state of the plant is determined and from the nutrient state of the plants a computer controls the fertilizer quantity to be applied.
  • US 6,444,975 is mostly referred to in that it describes a way of utilizing near infrared principles. In view of the present invention the method disclosed may be seen to have the disadvantage that it does not help a crop producer when harvesting the crop.
  • crop moisture is also a critical factor in the production of e.g. quality hay, grass and forage. Fermentation, feed value etc. are all affected by moisture content in the crop. Producers normally need to measure or estimate the moisture content of the crop to obtain good quality of the crop. Furthermore, the producers need to obtain knowledge regarding the timing of when to harvest the crop and e.g. when to perform a first and especially one or more following harvesting steps such as b) gathering or spreading the crop, and/or c) collecting the crop from the field.
  • the inventor of the present invention has appreciated that a method of optimizing harvesting of crops is of benefit, and has in consequence devised the present invention.
  • the invention may be seen as an object of the present invention to provide an improved method of harvesting crops.
  • the invention alleviates, mitigates or eliminates one or more of the above or other disadvantages singly or in any combination.
  • a method of optimizing harvesting crops of the kind of crops which may be self dried on a field at least prior to a following harvesting step, the method comprising - providing a mobile unit for working the field with the crops,
  • an optimized method of harvesting of crops is provided.
  • crop biomass measuring means and with crop moisture content measurement means and measuring crop biomass and crop moisture content of the crop, and providing a spatial crop biomass and crop moisture content characteristics map of the field based on the biomass data provided from moving the mobile unit on the field and the moisture content, and determining an optimised drying time prior to the following harvesting step in response to the spatial crop biomass and crop moisture content characteristics map and in response to a weather forecast.
  • optimised drying time prior to the following harvesting step in response to the spatial crop biomass and crop moisture content characteristics map and in response to a weather forecast.
  • at least one possible advantage is that an amount of energy may be saved compared to conventional methods and/or that a quality of the crop is increased compared to conventional methods.
  • there is no need for carrying out a separate moisture measurement on the field - this measurement or especially a number of measurement are provided when and while the producer is already present on the field.
  • a possible advantage is that a nondestructive method of measuring is provided. Furthermore a possible advantage is that a better measurement may possibly be provided e.g. compared to relying on a certain sample of crop being measured. The amount of energy saved may be provided by and/or the quality may be improved in that an optimised drying time, e.g. in order to achieve a certain moisture content, is known to the producer of the crop.
  • a possible advantage is that a proper method of working the crop can be assessed based on a qualitative assessment in response to appropriate inputs.
  • the following harvesting step is b) gathering or spreading the crop on the field or c) collecting the crop from the field.
  • an amount of additives added to the crop while being harvested in a particular spatial part of the field is determined based on the spatial biomass/moisture content characteristics map.
  • an amount and/or a type of one or more additives to be added to the collected crop can be determined in response to an output of one or more methods of crop measuring moisture content.
  • an influence on the moisture content of the crop of at least one actual drying time under actual weather conditions during the actual drying time is also taken into account when determining the amount and/or the type of the one or more additives to be added to the collected crop.
  • the invention relates to a mobile unit for working a field with crops, the mobile unit comprising crop biomass measuring means being positioned on the mobile unit and adapted to measure the crop biomass of the crop on the field while the mobile unit is moved on the field, and crop moisture content measuring means being provided on the mobile unit for measuring moisture content of the crop on the field while the mobile unit is moved over the field.
  • the invention relates to a harvest optimizing system comprising a mobile unit as described herein which is operable coupled with computer means for providing a spatial biomass/moisture content characteristics map of the field based on the biomass data and moisture data provided, and computer means for determining an optimised drying time prior to a following harvesting step in response to the spatial biomass/moisture content characteristics map and in response to a weather forecast.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a method in accordance with an embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a mobile unit cutting a crop
  • FIG. 3 is an illustration of a part of the mobile unit according to FIG. 2 in a cross 10 sectional side view
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a mobile unit gathering the crop
  • FIG. 5 is an illustration of a part of the mobile unit according to FIG. 4 in a cross sectional side view
  • FIG. 1 An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG 1.
  • the figure illustrates a mobile unit 102 for 114) cutting a crop, 116) gathering or spreading the crop and 20 118) collecting the crop from a field.
  • the method steps of either 116) gathering or spreading the crop or 118) collecting the crop from a field, may be referred to as a following harvesting step.
  • the mobile unit 102 is equipped with crop moisture measuring means 106 and 25 crop biomass measuring means 108. According to the presented embodiment the mobile unit 102, and at least the mobile unit for collecting the crop from the field in harvesting step 118, is provided with a means 112 for adding additives to the collected crop.
  • crop moisture measurements 107a and crop biomass measurements 109a are provided with the crop moisture measuring means 106 and the crop biomass measuring means 108, respectively.
  • one or both of the measurements are provided on-line as real time measurements in order for a correlated and spatial crop biomass/crop moisture map to be
  • One or both of the measurements may be provided continuously, they may be provided or summarised every second, every five seconds, every half minute or e.g. every minute.
  • a spatial biomass and/or the moisture content characteristics map is provided.
  • crop moisture measurements 107b and crop biomass measurements 109b are provided with the crop moisture measuring means 106 and the crop biomass measuring means 108.
  • crop biomass measurements 109c are provided.
  • these data 107c and 109c, or any of the other mentioned data, such as an amount of additives 113 added to the crop may be used by a computer means to determine the quality of the crop and/or for controlling a quantity and timing of transport units etc. for transporting the crop from different parts of the field and e.g. to a final storage.
  • a computer means 120 is shown.
  • the computer means is provided with a number of inputs related to one or more physical data or data sets, such as moisture content and biomass of the crop, and in response to these data and an algorithm the computer means provides one or more outputs.
  • An additional input to the moisture content and the biomass in order to determine a drying time is a weather forecast 110.
  • actual weather data during a certain drying period may also be used as an input.
  • An output which may be referred to as a main output to be achieved in response to the inputs is an optimised drying time of the crop.
  • the optimised drying time may be a drying time 104a between cutting 114 the crop and gathering or spreading 116 the crop and alternatively or additionally a drying time 104b between gathering or spreading 116 the crop and collecting 118 the crop from the field.
  • an amount of additives 113 which may be added to the collected crop by the means for adding additives 112 can be determined from the inputs.
  • the drying time and/or a changeable working method is preferably optimized so as to achieve a moisture content as near as possible to 28-32% under the forecasted weather conditions. Which moisture content is to be achieved is dependent on which purpose the crop is intended for. If the crop is grass and the grass is intended to be used and stored as hay, the moisture content preferred is e.g. only approximately 13-17%.
  • Moisture content in the interval 28-32% is preferred in this example.
  • the moisture content of the crop is at a given working step measured to be 38%.
  • the weather forecast estimates that the there will be no precipitation in the area of the crop and no clouds, the biomass of the crop in the area is relatively low. Based on these inputs and empirical data of e.g. evaporation of the crop per hour under the given conditions, an optimised drying time of 36 hours, from the moment where the moisture content was 38%, is determined.
  • the optimised drying time would be determined to be approximately 60 hours.
  • the moisture content measured at the given working step was higher than 38% and the other conditions where the same, the optimised drying time of 36 and 60 hours would as an example be determined to be 40 and 64 hours, respectively.
  • the measured moisture content is approximately 32-33%, e.g. in at least a main part of a field, in which part of the field there is measured, or estimated based on previous measurements, to be a low or high amount of biomass and the weather forecast says that its going to rain before the crop is able to dry to a level within 28-32% moisture content and that it will rain for the next 7 days, the crop is as an example collected during the actual working step, if possible, or alternatively as soon as possible before the rain sets in.
  • the second drying time is determined in dependence of the biomass and in dependence on the amount of moisture which the given type of crop with the given biomass is estimated or known to absorb during the 7 days of rain.
  • the second optimised drying time is then determined in dependence of the biomass, and in dependence of the how much evaporation of moisture there will be during a period with a given weather forecast following the 7 days of rain.
  • figure 1 illustrates a method of optimizing harvesting crops of the kind of crops which may be self dried on a field at least prior to a following harvesting step which may be the harvesting step 116 of gathering or spreading the crop on the field and/or the harvesting step 118 of collecting the crop from the field.
  • the harvesting method may include providing a mobile unit 102 for working the field with the crops and equipping the mobile unit with crop biomass measuring means 108 and with crop moisture content measurement means 106, and measuring crop biomass and crop moisture content of the crop and providing a spatial crop biomass and crop moisture content characteristics map of the field based on the biomass data provided from moving the mobile unit on the field and the moisture content, and determining an optimised drying time, 104a or 104b, prior to the following harvesting step in response to the spatial biomass/moisture content characteristics map and in response to a weather forecast 110.
  • the figure shows that measuring crop biomass and crop moisture content of the crop is provided on the crop when the crop is positioned on the field and furthermore illustrates that the crop biomass and crop moisture content of the crop can be measured while the mobile unit 102 is moved on the field.
  • This may follow by measurement using NIR (Near Infra red) principles.
  • the moisture content of the crop is e.g. ascertained by means of sensors by an optical reflection measurement in the near infrared spectral range and/or in a visible range spectral range and an analysis of the spectral received by the sensors.
  • the figure shows a method of working the crop which method is changeable, such as changeable between gathering or spreading the crop during the harvesting step 116 and/or adding an amount of additive, if adding any at all.
  • changeable such as changeable between gathering or spreading the crop during the harvesting step 116 and/or adding an amount of additive, if adding any at all.
  • Such changes can be determined based on the spatial crop biomass and/or based on the crop moisture content characteristics map and/or the weather forecast 110.
  • an influence on the moisture content of the crop of at least one actual drying time under actual weather conditions 111 during the actual drying time, 104a and/or 104b can also be taken into account when determining a drying time and/or the amount and/or the type of the one or more additives to be added to the collected crop.
  • the figure illustrates a harvest optimizing system with a mobile unit 102 which is operable coupled with computer means 120 for providing a spatial biomass/moisture content characteristics map of the field based on the biomass data and moisture data provided, and computer means 120 for determining an optimised drying time, 104a and/or 104b, prior to a following harvesting step, 116 and/or 118, in response to the spatial biomass/moisture content characteristics map and in response to a weather forecast 110.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates the mobile unit 102 cutting the crop.
  • the crop moisture content measuring means 106 can be seen.
  • the crop moisture content measuring means 106 is of the kind where the crop moisture content measurement means is positioned on the mobile unit and is adapted to measure the crop moisture content of the crop on the field while the mobile unit is moved on the field.
  • the crop moisture content measuring means 106 is in the shown example positioned behind a crop cutter (the crop cutter is shown in FIG. 3) when seen in the forward driving direction of the mobile unit, i.e. the crop moisture content measuring means 106 measures the moisture content of the cut crop 204 just after the crop has been cut and is lying on the field.
  • the crop moisture content measuring means 106 may be positioned in front of the crop cutter, when seen in the forward driving direction, of the mobile unit, i.e. the crop moisture content measuring means 106 measures the moisture content of the uncut crop 202 just before the uncut crop on the field is cut.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates of a part of the mobile unit according to FIG. 2 in a cross sectional side view.
  • the mobile unit may or may not be equipped with the crop crimper 304.
  • the use of the crop crimper may be adjusted in dependence of the measured moisture content of the crop in order to achieve the wanted moisture content of the crop at a certain time.
  • the figure illustrates the crop moisture content measuring means 106 which is arranged so that the crop moisture content measuring means 106 slides over the crop while the crop is provided on the field and when the mobile unit 102 is moved on the field.
  • the crop moisture content measuring means 106 is in the embodiment arranged so that a measuring surface of the measuring device follows a height of the crop provided on the field, i.e. when e.g. the cut crop forms relatively low heaps above the ground level of the field the crop moisture content measuring means 106 adapts it position above ground level to these relative low heaps and vice-versa for relatively high heaps.
  • This adaption of relative height above the ground level in dependence of crop height can be provided by a linear vertical movement of the measuring device 106 or may as shown in the example be provided by a rotational movement of the measuring device 106 around a horizontal axis 306.
  • the measuring surface is in the embodiments understood as a surface which is penetrate-able in order to provide the moisture measures, but which e.g. protects the measuring device, such as a piece synthetic material which is penetrate-able to an infrared light emitting and receiving device.
  • the crop moisture content measuring means 106 is in the shown example provided on a slide-like device 308, but may alternatively e.g. be provided in the form of a device which is in itself slide-able over the crop.
  • a possible advantage by providing the crop moisture content measuring means 106 so as to adapted to measure the crop moisture content of the crop on the field while the mobile unit is moved on the field are that moisture content of crop which is still provided on the field, e.g. still growing on the field, may be measured.
  • a possible advantage by sliding the measurement surface over the crop is that this surface will hereby consistently be cleaned by sliding over the crop.
  • crop moisture content measuring means 106 are shown in the embodiment, one for measuring the moisture content of each part of the worked crop, possibly only one crop moisture content measuring means 106 may be used to gather information regarding the moisture content.
  • the crop biomass may as an example be determined in response to a demand for energy needed to work the crop, such as a demand for energy to cut the crop.
  • a high need for energy may indicate a certain high crop biomass and vice-versa.
  • FIG. 4 and 5 illustrates the mobile unit gathering the crop where one crop moisture content measuring means 106 is positioned in a middle of a tool for gathering the crop.
  • the crop moisture content measuring means 106 is arranged to slide over the crop with help of the slide-like device 308 and measures the moisture content of the heaps of gathered crop gathered on the field while being moved over the heaps by the mobile unit 102. This is similar to what is already described for FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.
  • a method of providing a mobile unit 102 for working 114, 116, 118 the field with crops equipping the mobile unit 102 with crop biomass measuring means 108 and with crop moisture content measurement means 106, measuring crop biomass 107a, 107b and crop moisture content 109a, 109b of the crop, providing a spatial crop biomass and crop moisture content characteristics map of the field based on the biomass data 107a, 107b provided from moving the mobile unit on the field and the moisture content 109a, 109b, and determining an optimised drying time 104a, 104b prior to the following harvesting step 116, 118 in response to the spatial crop biomass and crop moisture content characteristics map and in response to a weather forecast 110.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Soil Sciences (AREA)
  • Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analysing Materials By Optical Means (AREA)
  • Drying Of Solid Materials (AREA)

Abstract

In order e.g. to optimize harvesting crops of the kind which may be self dried on a field prior to a harvesting step (116, 118), there is disclosed a method of providing a mobile unit (102) for working (114, 116, 118) the field with crops, equipping the mobile unit (102) with crop biomass measuring means (108) and with crop moisture content measurement means (106), measuring crop biomass (107a, 107b) and crop moisture content (109a, 109b) of the crop, providing a spatial crop biomass and crop moisture content characteristics map of the field based on the biomass data (107a, 107b) provided from moving the mobile unit on the field and the moisture content (109a, 109b), and determining an optimised drying time (104a, 104b) prior to the following harvesting step (116, 118) in response to the spatial crop biomass and crop moisture content characteristics map and in response to a weather forecast (110).

Description

METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING HARVESTING OF CROPS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a method of optimizing harvesting of crops of the kind of crops which may be self dried on a field, and will be explained particularly for a method of optimizing harvesting of grass.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention will be explained in an embodiment related to grass production, or at least related to harvesting of grass. When harvesting grass it is known to a) cut the grass, b) gather or spread the grass and finally c) collect the grass in three harvesting steps a), b) and c).
WO 00/52991 discloses a device for accommodating and conditioning plants cultivated in cultivation areas, especially forage plants. The device comprises a plant accommodating system for accommodating plant stock, a drying system for drying the accommodated plant stock, a compacting system for converting the conditioned plant stock into piece units, an analysis system for determining defined plant parameters, as well as comprising a dosing device which is provided for dosing additives and which operates subject to the analysis system. In view of the present invention the device disclosed in WO 00/52991 may be seen to have the disadvantage that an extensive amount of energy is possibly used for the drying system.
In US 6,444,975 there is disclosed a method of partial area-specific-fertilization of plants which, under natural light during the fertilizer application, the chlorophyll content of the plants is ascertained by means of sensors by optical reflection measurement in the visible and near infrared spectral range, the chlorophyll content is registered and from the chlorophyll content a measurement of the nutrient state of the plant is determined and from the nutrient state of the plants a computer controls the fertilizer quantity to be applied. US 6,444,975 is mostly referred to in that it describes a way of utilizing near infrared principles. In view of the present invention the method disclosed may be seen to have the disadvantage that it does not help a crop producer when harvesting the crop.
Besides contents such as nitrogen and chlorophyll, crop moisture is also a critical factor in the production of e.g. quality hay, grass and forage. Fermentation, feed value etc. are all affected by moisture content in the crop. Producers normally need to measure or estimate the moisture content of the crop to obtain good quality of the crop. Furthermore, the producers need to obtain knowledge regarding the timing of when to harvest the crop and e.g. when to perform a first and especially one or more following harvesting steps such as b) gathering or spreading the crop, and/or c) collecting the crop from the field.
The inventor of the present invention has appreciated that a method of optimizing harvesting of crops is of benefit, and has in consequence devised the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It may be seen as an object of the present invention to provide an improved method of harvesting crops. Preferably, the invention alleviates, mitigates or eliminates one or more of the above or other disadvantages singly or in any combination.
In particular, it may be seen as an object of the invention to provide an optimized method of harvesting crops, a mobile unit for working a field with crops and a harvest optimizing system.
Accordingly there is provided, in a first aspect, a method of optimizing harvesting crops of the kind of crops which may be self dried on a field at least prior to a following harvesting step, the method comprising - providing a mobile unit for working the field with the crops,
- equipping the mobile unit with crop biomass measuring means and with crop moisture content measurement means,
- measuring crop biomass and crop moisture content of the crop,
- providing a spatial crop biomass and crop moisture content characteristics map of the field based on the biomass data provided from moving the mobile unit on the field and the moisture content,
- determining an optimised drying time prior to the following harvesting step in response to the spatial crop biomass and crop moisture content characteristics map and in response to a weather forecast.
Thus an optimized method of harvesting of crops is provided. When equipping the mobile unit with crop biomass measuring means and with crop moisture content measurement means, and measuring crop biomass and crop moisture content of the crop, and providing a spatial crop biomass and crop moisture content characteristics map of the field based on the biomass data provided from moving the mobile unit on the field and the moisture content, and determining an optimised drying time prior to the following harvesting step in response to the spatial crop biomass and crop moisture content characteristics map and in response to a weather forecast, at least one possible advantage is that an amount of energy may be saved compared to conventional methods and/or that a quality of the crop is increased compared to conventional methods. In particular there is no need for carrying out a separate moisture measurement on the field - this measurement or especially a number of measurement are provided when and while the producer is already present on the field.
When measuring crop biomass and crop moisture content of the crop on the crop when the crop is positioned on the field, a possible advantage is that a nondestructive method of measuring is provided. Furthermore a possible advantage is that a better measurement may possibly be provided e.g. compared to relying on a certain sample of crop being measured. The amount of energy saved may be provided by and/or the quality may be improved in that an optimised drying time, e.g. in order to achieve a certain moisture content, is known to the producer of the crop.
When the crop biomass and crop moisture content of the crop is measured while the mobile unit is moved on the field, a possible advantage is that e.g. cutted or gathered hay does not need to be collected prior to a measurement.
When a method of working the crop is furthermore determined based on the spatial biomass and/or the moisture content characteristics map and/or the weather forecast, a possible advantage is that a proper method of working the crop can be assessed based on a qualitative assessment in response to appropriate inputs.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention the following harvesting step is b) gathering or spreading the crop on the field or c) collecting the crop from the field. In accordance with a further embodiment an amount of additives added to the crop while being harvested in a particular spatial part of the field is determined based on the spatial biomass/moisture content characteristics map. Furthermore, an amount and/or a type of one or more additives to be added to the collected crop can be determined in response to an output of one or more methods of crop measuring moisture content. Still further an influence on the moisture content of the crop of at least one actual drying time under actual weather conditions during the actual drying time is also taken into account when determining the amount and/or the type of the one or more additives to be added to the collected crop.
In accordance with a second aspect of the invention the invention relates to a mobile unit for working a field with crops, the mobile unit comprising crop biomass measuring means being positioned on the mobile unit and adapted to measure the crop biomass of the crop on the field while the mobile unit is moved on the field, and crop moisture content measuring means being provided on the mobile unit for measuring moisture content of the crop on the field while the mobile unit is moved over the field.
In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, the invention relates to a harvest optimizing system comprising a mobile unit as described herein which is operable coupled with computer means for providing a spatial biomass/moisture content characteristics map of the field based on the biomass data and moisture data provided, and computer means for determining an optimised drying time prior to a following harvesting step in response to the spatial biomass/moisture content characteristics map and in response to a weather forecast.
In general by writing that 'it is an advantage' by the present invention and referring to an advantage, it must be understood that this advantage may be seen as a possible advantage provided by the invention, but it may also be understood that the invention is particularly, but not exclusively, advantageous for obtaining the described advantage.
In general the various aspects and advantages of the invention may be combined and coupled in any way possible within the scope of the invention.
These and other aspects, features and/or advantages of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which 5
FIG. 1 illustrates a method in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, and
FIG. 2 illustrates a mobile unit cutting a crop, and
FIG. 3 is an illustration of a part of the mobile unit according to FIG. 2 in a cross 10 sectional side view, and
FIG. 4 illustrates a mobile unit gathering the crop, and
FIG. 5 is an illustration of a part of the mobile unit according to FIG. 4 in a cross sectional side view,
15
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG 1. The figure illustrates a mobile unit 102 for 114) cutting a crop, 116) gathering or spreading the crop and 20 118) collecting the crop from a field. The method steps of either 116) gathering or spreading the crop or 118) collecting the crop from a field, may be referred to as a following harvesting step.
The mobile unit 102 is equipped with crop moisture measuring means 106 and 25 crop biomass measuring means 108. According to the presented embodiment the mobile unit 102, and at least the mobile unit for collecting the crop from the field in harvesting step 118, is provided with a means 112 for adding additives to the collected crop.
30 During the harvesting step of cutting 114 crop moisture measurements 107a and crop biomass measurements 109a are provided with the crop moisture measuring means 106 and the crop biomass measuring means 108, respectively. Preferably one or both of the measurements are provided on-line as real time measurements in order for a correlated and spatial crop biomass/crop moisture map to be
35 provided with a highest possible degree of nuances for every part of the field. One or both of the measurements may be provided continuously, they may be provided or summarised every second, every five seconds, every half minute or e.g. every minute. Hereby a spatial biomass and/or the moisture content characteristics map is provided.
40 Similarly, during the harvesting step 116) of gathering or spreading the crop, crop moisture measurements 107b and crop biomass measurements 109b are provided with the crop moisture measuring means 106 and the crop biomass measuring means 108. During the harvesting step 118 of collecting the crop from the field crop moisture measurements 107c and crop biomass measurements 109c are provided. As indicated these data 107c and 109c, or any of the other mentioned data, such as an amount of additives 113 added to the crop may be used by a computer means to determine the quality of the crop and/or for controlling a quantity and timing of transport units etc. for transporting the crop from different parts of the field and e.g. to a final storage.
In the illustration a computer means 120 is shown. The computer means is provided with a number of inputs related to one or more physical data or data sets, such as moisture content and biomass of the crop, and in response to these data and an algorithm the computer means provides one or more outputs. An additional input to the moisture content and the biomass in order to determine a drying time is a weather forecast 110. Furthermore, and in accordance with a refinement of the harvesting method, actual weather data during a certain drying period may also be used as an input.
An output which may be referred to as a main output to be achieved in response to the inputs is an optimised drying time of the crop. The optimised drying time may be a drying time 104a between cutting 114 the crop and gathering or spreading 116 the crop and alternatively or additionally a drying time 104b between gathering or spreading 116 the crop and collecting 118 the crop from the field. Furthermore an amount of additives 113 which may be added to the collected crop by the means for adding additives 112 can be determined from the inputs.
The drying time and/or a changeable working method is preferably optimized so as to achieve a moisture content as near as possible to 28-32% under the forecasted weather conditions. Which moisture content is to be achieved is dependent on which purpose the crop is intended for. If the crop is grass and the grass is intended to be used and stored as hay, the moisture content preferred is e.g. only approximately 13-17%.
The following is an example of how an optimised drying time is calculated or determined. Moisture content in the interval 28-32% is preferred in this example. The moisture content of the crop is at a given working step measured to be 38%. The weather forecast estimates that the there will be no precipitation in the area of the crop and no clouds, the biomass of the crop in the area is relatively low. Based on these inputs and empirical data of e.g. evaporation of the crop per hour under the given conditions, an optimised drying time of 36 hours, from the moment where the moisture content was 38%, is determined.
If in the example the crop biomass per area was relatively high or the weather was forecasted to be cloudy, though without precipitation, the optimised drying time would be determined to be approximately 60 hours. Similarly, if the moisture content measured at the given working step was higher than 38% and the other conditions where the same, the optimised drying time of 36 and 60 hours would as an example be determined to be 40 and 64 hours, respectively.
If the measured moisture content is approximately 32-33%, e.g. in at least a main part of a field, in which part of the field there is measured, or estimated based on previous measurements, to be a low or high amount of biomass and the weather forecast says that its going to rain before the crop is able to dry to a level within 28-32% moisture content and that it will rain for the next 7 days, the crop is as an example collected during the actual working step, if possible, or alternatively as soon as possible before the rain sets in.
If the crop is not collected before the rain sets in or it is not known if this is possible, there are determined two or a second optimised drying time. The second drying time is determined in dependence of the biomass and in dependence on the amount of moisture which the given type of crop with the given biomass is estimated or known to absorb during the 7 days of rain. The second optimised drying time is then determined in dependence of the biomass, and in dependence of the how much evaporation of moisture there will be during a period with a given weather forecast following the 7 days of rain. Thus, two drying times, one of 0-2 hours and another of approximately 228 hours (7*24+60=228) are determined from the moment where the moisture content of the crop was 32- 33%.
Similar methods of determining an optimised drying time can be given if a moisture content of e.g. 13-17% is preferred.
In particular figure 1 illustrates a method of optimizing harvesting crops of the kind of crops which may be self dried on a field at least prior to a following harvesting step which may be the harvesting step 116 of gathering or spreading the crop on the field and/or the harvesting step 118 of collecting the crop from the field. The harvesting method may include providing a mobile unit 102 for working the field with the crops and equipping the mobile unit with crop biomass measuring means 108 and with crop moisture content measurement means 106, and measuring crop biomass and crop moisture content of the crop and providing a spatial crop biomass and crop moisture content characteristics map of the field based on the biomass data provided from moving the mobile unit on the field and the moisture content, and determining an optimised drying time, 104a or 104b, prior to the following harvesting step in response to the spatial biomass/moisture content characteristics map and in response to a weather forecast 110.
Furthermore the figure shows that measuring crop biomass and crop moisture content of the crop is provided on the crop when the crop is positioned on the field and furthermore illustrates that the crop biomass and crop moisture content of the crop can be measured while the mobile unit 102 is moved on the field. This may follow by measurement using NIR (Near Infra red) principles. The moisture content of the crop is e.g. ascertained by means of sensors by an optical reflection measurement in the near infrared spectral range and/or in a visible range spectral range and an analysis of the spectral received by the sensors.
Still further the figure shows a method of working the crop which method is changeable, such as changeable between gathering or spreading the crop during the harvesting step 116 and/or adding an amount of additive, if adding any at all. Such changes can be determined based on the spatial crop biomass and/or based on the crop moisture content characteristics map and/or the weather forecast 110.
Especially, it is foreseen that an influence on the moisture content of the crop of at least one actual drying time under actual weather conditions 111 during the actual drying time, 104a and/or 104b, can also be taken into account when determining a drying time and/or the amount and/or the type of the one or more additives to be added to the collected crop.
FIG. 1 furthermore shows a mobile unit 102 for working a field with crops, the mobile unit comprising crop biomass measuring means 108 being positioned in the front of the mobile unit 102 and adapted to measure the crop biomass of the crop on the field while the mobile unit 102 is moved on the field, and crop moisture content measuring means 106 being provided on the mobile unit for measuring moisture content of the crop. The crop moisture measurement means may be of the kind where small samples are taken from the crop on the field and analysed on the mobile unit 102 or may be of the kind wherein the crop moisture content measurement means is positioned in the front of the mobile unit and adapted to measure the crop moisture content of the crop on the field while the mobile unit is moved on the field.
Seen from a system perspective the figure illustrates a harvest optimizing system with a mobile unit 102 which is operable coupled with computer means 120 for providing a spatial biomass/moisture content characteristics map of the field based on the biomass data and moisture data provided, and computer means 120 for determining an optimised drying time, 104a and/or 104b, prior to a following harvesting step, 116 and/or 118, in response to the spatial biomass/moisture content characteristics map and in response to a weather forecast 110.
FIG. 2 illustrates the mobile unit 102 cutting the crop. In the illustrated embodiment the crop moisture content measuring means 106 can be seen. The crop moisture content measuring means 106 is of the kind where the crop moisture content measurement means is positioned on the mobile unit and is adapted to measure the crop moisture content of the crop on the field while the mobile unit is moved on the field.
The crop moisture content measuring means 106 is in the shown example positioned behind a crop cutter (the crop cutter is shown in FIG. 3) when seen in the forward driving direction of the mobile unit, i.e. the crop moisture content measuring means 106 measures the moisture content of the cut crop 204 just after the crop has been cut and is lying on the field. Alternatively or additionally the crop moisture content measuring means 106 may be positioned in front of the crop cutter, when seen in the forward driving direction, of the mobile unit, i.e. the crop moisture content measuring means 106 measures the moisture content of the uncut crop 202 just before the uncut crop on the field is cut.
FIG. 3 illustrates of a part of the mobile unit according to FIG. 2 in a cross sectional side view. In the cross sectional side view of part of the mobile unit with the crop cutter 302 and a crop crimper 304 for breaking the crop open in order for the crop to dry. The mobile unit may or may not be equipped with the crop crimper 304. Still further the use of the crop crimper may be adjusted in dependence of the measured moisture content of the crop in order to achieve the wanted moisture content of the crop at a certain time.
The figure illustrates the crop moisture content measuring means 106 which is arranged so that the crop moisture content measuring means 106 slides over the crop while the crop is provided on the field and when the mobile unit 102 is moved on the field. The crop moisture content measuring means 106 is in the embodiment arranged so that a measuring surface of the measuring device follows a height of the crop provided on the field, i.e. when e.g. the cut crop forms relatively low heaps above the ground level of the field the crop moisture content measuring means 106 adapts it position above ground level to these relative low heaps and vice-versa for relatively high heaps. This adaption of relative height above the ground level in dependence of crop height can be provided by a linear vertical movement of the measuring device 106 or may as shown in the example be provided by a rotational movement of the measuring device 106 around a horizontal axis 306. The measuring surface is in the embodiments understood as a surface which is penetrate-able in order to provide the moisture measures, but which e.g. protects the measuring device, such as a piece synthetic material which is penetrate-able to an infrared light emitting and receiving device.
The crop moisture content measuring means 106 is in the shown example provided on a slide-like device 308, but may alternatively e.g. be provided in the form of a device which is in itself slide-able over the crop.
A possible advantage by providing the crop moisture content measuring means 106 so as to adapted to measure the crop moisture content of the crop on the field while the mobile unit is moved on the field are that moisture content of crop which is still provided on the field, e.g. still growing on the field, may be measured. A possible advantage by sliding the measurement surface over the crop is that this surface will hereby consistently be cleaned by sliding over the crop.
Although three crop moisture content measuring means 106 are shown in the embodiment, one for measuring the moisture content of each part of the worked crop, possibly only one crop moisture content measuring means 106 may be used to gather information regarding the moisture content.
The crop biomass may as an example be determined in response to a demand for energy needed to work the crop, such as a demand for energy to cut the crop. A high need for energy may indicate a certain high crop biomass and vice-versa.
FIG. 4 and 5 illustrates the mobile unit gathering the crop where one crop moisture content measuring means 106 is positioned in a middle of a tool for gathering the crop. The crop moisture content measuring means 106 is arranged to slide over the crop with help of the slide-like device 308 and measures the moisture content of the heaps of gathered crop gathered on the field while being moved over the heaps by the mobile unit 102. This is similar to what is already described for FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.
Although the present invention has been described in connection with preferred embodiments, it is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein. Rather, the scope of the present invention is limited only by the accompanying claims.
In this section, certain specific details of the disclosed embodiment are set forth for purposes of explanation rather than limitation, so as to provide a clear and thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it should be understood readily by those skilled in this art, that the present invention may be practised in other embodiments which do not conform exactly to the details set forth herein, without departing significantly from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Further, in this context, and for the purposes of brevity and clarity, detailed descriptions of well-known apparatus, circuits and methodology have been omitted so as to avoid unnecessary detail and possible confusion.
In the claims, the term "comprising" does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps. Additionally, although individual features may be included in different claims, these may possibly be advantageously combined, and the inclusion in different claims does not imply that a combination of features is not feasible and/or advantageous. In addition, singular references do not exclude a plurality. Thus, references to "a", "an", "first", "second" etc. do not preclude a plurality. Reference signs are included in the claims, however the inclusion of the reference signs is only for clarity reasons and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.
In short it is herein disclosed that In order e.g. to optimize harvesting crops of the kind which may be self dried on a field prior to a harvesting step 116, 118, there is disclosed a method of providing a mobile unit 102 for working 114, 116, 118 the field with crops, equipping the mobile unit 102 with crop biomass measuring means 108 and with crop moisture content measurement means 106, measuring crop biomass 107a, 107b and crop moisture content 109a, 109b of the crop, providing a spatial crop biomass and crop moisture content characteristics map of the field based on the biomass data 107a, 107b provided from moving the mobile unit on the field and the moisture content 109a, 109b, and determining an optimised drying time 104a, 104b prior to the following harvesting step 116, 118 in response to the spatial crop biomass and crop moisture content characteristics map and in response to a weather forecast 110.

Claims

1. A method of optimizing harvesting of crops of the kind of crops which may be self dried on a field at least prior to a following harvesting step (116, 118), the
5 method comprising
- providing a mobile unit (102) for working (114, 116, 118) the field with the crops,
- equipping the mobile unit (102) with crop biomass measuring means (108) and with crop moisture content measurement means (106),
10 - measuring crop biomass (107a, 107b) and crop moisture content (109a, 109b) of the crop,
- providing a spatial crop biomass and crop moisture content characteristics map of the field based on the biomass data (107a, 107b) provided from moving the mobile unit on the field and the moisture content (109a, 109b),
15 - determining an optimised drying time (104a, 104b) prior to the following harvesting step (116, 118) in response to the spatial crop biomass and crop moisture content characteristics map and in response to a weather forecast (110).
2. A method of optimizing harvesting of crops according to claim 1, wherein
20 measuring crop biomass and crop moisture content of the crop is provided on the crop when the crop is positioned on the field.
3. A method of optimizing harvesting of crops according to any of the preceding claims wherein crop biomass (107a, 107b) and crop moisture content (109a,
25 109b) of the crop is measured while the mobile unit (102) is moved on the field.
4. A method of optimizing harvesting of crops according any of the preceding claims, wherein a method (116, 118) of working the crop is furthermore determined based on the spatial biomass and/or the moisture content
30 characteristics map and/or the weather forecast (110).
5. A method of optimizing harvesting of crops according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the following step is b) (116) gathering or spreading the crop on the field or c) (118) collecting the crop from the field.
35
6. A method of optimizing harvesting of crops according to any of the preceding claims, wherein an amount of additives added to the crop while being harvested in a particular spatial part of the field is determined based on the spatial biomass/moisture content characteristics map.
40
7. A method of optimizing harvesting of crops according to claim 6, wherein an amount (113) and/or a type of one or more additives to be added to the collected crop is determined in response to an output of one or more methods of crop measuring moisture content.
8. A method of optimizing harvesting of crops according to claim 7, wherein an influence on the moisture content of the crop of at least one actual drying time (104a) under actual weather conditions (111) during the actual drying time is also taken into account when determining the amount and/or the type of the one or more additives to be added to the collected crop.
9. A method of optimizing harvesting of crops according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the crop moisture content measuring means (106) is arranged so that the crop moisture content measuring means (106) is sliding over the crop while the crop is provided on the field and when the mobile unit (102) is moved on the field.
10. A mobile unit for working a field with crops, the mobile unit (102) comprising
- crop biomass measuring means (108), - the crop biomass measuring means (108) being positioned on the mobile unit (102) and adapted to measure the crop biomass (107a, 107b) of the crop on the field while the mobile unit is moved on the field, and
- crop moisture content measuring means (106) being provided on the mobile unit for measuring moisture content (109a, 109b)of the crop.
11. A mobile unit for working a field with crops according to claim 10, wherein the crop moisture content measurement means (106) is positioned on the mobile unit and adapted to measure the crop moisture content (107a, 107b) of the crop on the field while the mobile unit (102) is moved on the field.
12. A mobile unit for working a field with crops according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the crop moisture content measurement means (106) is arranged so that the crop moisture content measuring means (106) slides over the crop while the crop is provided on the field and when the mobile unit (102) is moved on the field.
13. A mobile unit for working a field with crops according to claim 10, 11 or 12, wherein the crop moisture content measurement means (106) is adjustable arranged so that the crop moisture content measuring means (106) adapts it position above ground level to a height of the crop on the field.
14. A mobile unit for working a field with crops according to claim 10-13, wherein the crop moisture content measuring means 106 are provided on a slide-like device 308 slid-able over the field of crops when the mobile unit (102) moves.
15. A harvest optimizing system comprising a mobile unit (102) according to any of the claims 10 - 14 operable coupled with
- computer means (120) for providing a spatial biomass/moisture content characteristics map of the field based on the biomass data and moisture data provided, and - computer means (120) for determining an optimised drying time (104a, 104b) prior to a following harvesting step (116, 118) in response to the spatial biomass/moisture content characteristics map and in response to a weather forecast (110).
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