Systems and methods for dynamically adjusting cutter assemblies of agricultural vehicles

Abstract

An agricultural vehicle is equipped with a system for dynamically adjusting the height of a cutter assembly, such as a topper assembly, to optimize the cutting of crop material. The system can employ radar-based crop sensors to gather, as crop material is being harvested, spatial and signal strength information for a point cloud dataset. The collected information allows for a differentiation between, and corresponding location identifications for, stalks and leaves of the crop material based at least on differences in dielectric properties. This information can identify the locations of transitions between stalks and leaves, and thus target cutting heights, which can change based on variations in the characteristics of the crop material being harvested. As crop material is being harvested, the height of the cutter assembly can be adjusted to reflect changes in the target cutting height, which can minimize the intake of undesirable leaves and improve crop yield estimations. DEE05-41193 Deere Ref. P36556-US-PRI 27 20 26 20 02 09 14 J an 2 02 6 A B S T R A C T 2 0 2 6 2 0 0 2 0 9 1 4 J a n 2 0 2 6 2 7 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 3 8 b 1 2 0 5 25 0 1 1 2 1 0 2 1 2 6 1 3 0 1 3 2 1 3 4 1 0 4 1 0 8 b 1 4 6 1 0 8 ,1 0 8 a 1 1 4 a 1 2 4 1 2 2 1 1 8 1 0 1 1 3 8 ,1 3 8 a F IG . 1 1 / 6 1 1 5 5 4 5 4 5 4 5 4 FIG. 1 115 146 108,108a 118 104 108b O D D 0 114a olo 52 >54 124 138b H 54 122 54 102 126 120 138,138a 112 130 54 132 50 110 100 134 101 20 26 20 02 09 14 J an 2 02 6 D D P R E M I U M B I L L I N G 0 o l 2 0 2 6 2 0 0 2 0 9 1 4 J a n 2 0 2 6

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