Apparatus and a method for automatically recognizing a header connected to a harvesting
machine and setting operating and / or adjustment parameters of a spreader of the
machine for use with the header. The apparatus includes a memory containing information representative of predetermined spreader settings for at least one header connectable to the harvesting
machine, such as a grain header and a corn or maize header. A
detector element is operable for automatically identifying a header connected to the machine and outputting a
signal or information representative thereof, to a controller automatically operable for using that information for retrieving the stored information representative of the predetermined spreader settings for that header. Input commands and / or information, for instance, relating to
crop type, and / or
crop and environmental conditions, can also be inputted using either an onboard or remote
input device. The controller then responsively controls a
crop residue spreader connected to the machine as a function of the retrieved information and any inputted commands or information, if within predetermined permissible ranges.