Digital signal processing of the storage bin mass on mobile harvesters for the prediction of crop mass flow rate and yield

摘要

Sensor development and performance is an integral part of yield monitoring. The ability to measure the mass flow rate of product into a harvester is essential for predicting crop yield. This paper presents the design and experimental evaluation of asystem to measure mass flow rate on mobile harvesting equipment. The prototype system was tested on a self-propelled pod stripper combine in green peas and lima beans on the Delmarva Peninsula. Results demonstrate that with proper digital filter design,the mass flow rate and crop yield can be estimated in real time. However, variations in the transport delay on the harvester may reduce the accuracy of predicted yields.