A System for the Automatic Adjustment and Control of the Conditioning Roll Gap on Mower-Conditioners

Abstract

Maintaining the correct gap between the conditioning rolls on mower-conditioners is critical for achieving the optimal conditioning of hay crops. Proper gap distance has been shown to significantly reduce in-field drying time. To improve the performance of conditioning rolls, an automatic adjustment system was developed to set and maintain roll gap. The system utilizes two DC gearmotors to adjust the mechanical stops on each end of the upper conditioning roll. The motors are controlled with an on-board microprocessor. As designed, the system provides several operating features including automatic gap adjustment by the operator from the cab, re-adjustment of the gap upon engine startup, and automatic roller separation for unplugging. The system provides a simple, cost effective, and safe solution for gap adjustment and maintenance.