SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ESTIMATING THE LENGTH OF A CROP MATERIAL BALE DURING BALE FORMATION

摘要

A system (100) for estimating the length of bales of crop material (82) during bale formation within an agricultural baler (10) includes a baling chamber (26) and a radar-based length sensor (102) provided in operative association with the baling chamber (26). The length sensor (102) is configured to transmit radar waves (104) towards a bale of crop material (82) being formed within the baling chamber (26) and receive return waves (106) corresponding to the radar waves (104) as reflected off the bale of crop material (82). In addition, the system (100) includes a controller (140) communicatively coupled to the length sensor (102). The controller (140) is configured to estimate a parameter associated with a current length (84) of the bale of crop material (82) being formed within the baling chamber (26) based at least in part on radar data associated with the return waves (106) received by the length sensor (102).