No more missing the target for forage harvester drivers
Krone has designed a solution for the harvester driver who finds it difficult to make sure all of the forage crop is blown into the trailer rather than somewhere else; for example, when opening up a maize field, and having to carefully watch what is going on at the header, while simultaneously controlling the spout to the trailer following behind.
The winner of an Agritechnica silver medal for innovation, Krone’s LaserLoad system uses an industrial scanner attached to the end of the spout, from where it samples a 190-degree area to deliver 2D scans.
At the same time, an electric laser head moves up and down to provide the third dimension of the picture.
The LaserLoad system then computes the contours of the trailer, and produces a rectangular box image that outlines the target area for the spout to direct its stream of chopped forage.
This means the spout is positioned automatically, and the crop flow is targeted into the trailer, even when this is following at a considerable distance.
There are a number of obvious benefits from the LaserLoad technology. The forager operator can concentrate on the header and the work ahead, and no material is blown outside the trailer.
LaserLoad also works at night without lighting, and its functionality is not affected by dust, debris, rain, or shading.
The operator can also use the system for unloading into a trailer that is travelling alongside, making days in the field less stressful and fatiguing. Feed losses are minimised, and time and cost savings are achieved.
