IntelliSense bale automation awarded

Created to celebrate innovations in areas of agricultural, food and biological systems engineering, the Davidson Prize is judged from entries put forward for the AE50, a fifty-strong set of agricultural engineering products that are selected by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) for their innovation, significant engineering advancement and impact on the market served. The ASABE then works with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) to determine the three most innovative products worthy of the Davidson Prize and this year selected New Holland IntelliSense baler automation as one of those three.

Large square baler operation typically demands long hours of continuous focus, adjusting steering to follow the swath, and observing crop flow to prevent overloads and blockages by changing tractor speed to match. In addition, to ensure production of consistent bales the driver must observe the bale fill indicator and correct the tractor path accordingly, while also monitoring bale slice numbers and weights.

By proactively adjusting tractor steering according to the swath ahead, and automatically adjusting speed to swath density, IntelliSense relieves the driver of these demands, maintaining high capacity with minimal blockage risk, and helping minimize fuel use through optimum engine management. Consistent chamber-filling keeps bale weights on target and bale shape uniform. Operator stress is eased, while less experienced drivers can maximize output without risking plugging the baler.

A LiDAR (light detection and ranging) sensor on the tractor roof emits a laser pulse 6-8m ahead, which is reflected off the swath. When returned the system uses the data to measure swath position and shape, with this data then used to adjust the ISOBUS controlled tractor steering and match the baler’s plunger load sensors, ensuring even chamber-filling. The swath cross-section measured governs tractor speed control, reducing it where dense to avoid overloads/blockage risk, and increasing it in thin areas.

Feedrate can be controlled via IntelliCruise II, where a speed limit and maximum slices/bale can be set. The tractor then continuously adjusts forward speed to match target slice number. Alternatively, Swath Guidance mode uses the tractor’s SmartSteer technology to steer according to the swath ahead, ensuring it is centered on the pickup, and automatically adjusting according to the plunger load cells to perfect the bale shape. IntelliSense can work with all New Holland T7 Long Wheelbase, T7 HD and T8 AutoCommand tractors with Class 3 ISOBUS unlocked for steering and speed control and with differential GPS.