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This paper describes the development and preliminary field evaluation of a combine feedrate sensor. The sensor employs electrical capacitance sensing techniques in a parallel plate configuration in which one plate is located in the table (or platform) with the other being the table auger. The sensor indicates the mass flowrate (feedrate) of material conveyed by the auger to the feeder. For comparison purposes, the combine harvester was intrumented for measurements of table auger torque and feeder displacement. Conventional bagging techniques of effluent over fixed time intervals were used to establish average feedrate. The results show that the capacitance sensor provides an indication of feedrate and more linear performance over a wider range of feedrate than the other two sensing techniques.

The potential benefits of combine harvester control are outlined. The implementation of combine automation, however, has been hampered by the lack of available sensors. This paper identifies the major sensor requirements, provides a literature review of sensor development to date, and suggests areas for sensor research and development.

This paper reports on the development of an active seat suspension system to reduce the terrain-induced whole-body vibration to which operators of off-highway vehicles are exposed. A literature review of the effects of prolonged exposure to whole-body vibration, in terms of health risks and reduced productivity, is presented. The specifications for an active seat suspension system, based on acceleration measurements on forestry vehicles, are outlined. The design of the system, which consists of a hydraulic actuator, electrohydraulic valve, accelerometer and microprocessor controller, is presented. laboratory evaluations of the system, using field data fed into a shaker stand, are discussed.