Patent Publication Number: US-2023157208-A1

Title: System and method for controlling harvesting implement operation of an agricultural harvester when a harvesting operation ceases

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure generally relates to agricultural harvesters and, more particularly, to systems and methods for controlling the operation of a harvesting implement of an agricultural harvester when a harvesting operation is ceased. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A harvester is an agricultural machine used to harvest and process crops. For instance, a combine harvester may be used to harvest grain crops, such as wheat, oats, rye, barley, corn, soybeans, and flax or linseed. In general, the objective is to complete several processes, which traditionally were distinct, in one pass of the machine over a portion of the field. In this respect, most harvesters are equipped with a detachable header or harvesting implement, which cuts and collects the crop from the field. The harvester also includes a crop processing system, which performs various processing operations (e.g., threshing, separating, etc.) on the harvested crop received from the header. Furthermore, the harvester includes a crop tank, which receives and stores the harvested crop after processing. 
     Typically, the position of the header relative to the surface of the field is adjustable. For example, when performing a harvesting operation, the header is positioned at a predetermined height above the field surface to permit a cutter bar of the header to sever crops present within the field from their stubble. Conversely, when the harvesting operation is ceased, the header is lifted to a raised or non-operational position above the predetermined height. For example, moving the header to the non-operational position when the harvester reaching the end of the crop row allows the harvester to turn around. However, harvested crops may fall off the header when it is lifted to the raised position. 
     Accordingly, an improved system and method for controlling the operation of a harvesting implement of an agricultural harvester that addresses one or more of the issues identified above would be welcomed in the technology. For example, an improved system and method for controlling the operation of a harvesting implement of an agricultural harvester when a harvesting operation is ceased would be welcomed in the technology. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Aspects and advantages of the technology will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the technology. 
     In one aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a system for controlling harvesting implement operation of an agricultural harvester. The system includes a harvesting implement defining a longitudinal axis extending between a forward end of the harvesting implement and an aft end of the harvesting implement. The harvesting implement is configured to be coupled to the agricultural harvester. Moreover, the harvesting implement includes a frame, a reel, and a cutter bar. A controller is configured to receive a first input indicating that a harvesting operation has ceased. Furthermore, the controller is configured to initiate a first adjustment to at least one of a fore/aft tilt angle defined between the longitudinal axis of the harvesting implement and a field surface, a position of the reel relative to the frame, or a position of the cutter bar relative to the frame upon receipt of the first input. 
     In another aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a method for controlling harvesting implement operation of an agricultural harvester. The agricultural harvester, in turn, includes a harvesting implement defining a longitudinal axis extending between a forward end of the harvesting implement and an aft end of the harvesting implement. The harvesting implement is configured to be coupled to the agricultural harvester. Moreover, the harvesting implement including a frame, a reel, and a cutter bar. The method includes controlling, with one or more computing devices, an operation of the agricultural harvester such that the agricultural harvester is moved across a field to perform a harvesting operation. Furthermore, the method includes receiving, with the one or more computing devices, a first input indicating that the harvesting operation has ceased. Additionally, after receiving the first input, the method includes initiating, with the one or more computing devices, a first adjustment to at least one of a fore/aft tilt angle defined between the longitudinal axis of the harvesting implement and a field surface, a position of the reel relative to the frame, or a position of the cutter bar relative to the frame. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present technology will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the technology and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the technology. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full and enabling disclosure of the present technology, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a partial sectional side view of one embodiment of an agricultural harvester in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a harvesting implement of an agricultural harvester in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter; 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a schematic view of one embodiment of a system for controlling harvesting implement operation of an agricultural harvester in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter; 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a simplified side view of one embodiment of a harvesting implement of an agricultural harvester in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter, particularly illustrating the harvesting implement being positioned at a harvesting or operational position; 
         FIG.  5    illustrates another simplified side view of one embodiment of a harvesting implement of an agricultural harvester in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter, particularly illustrating the harvesting implement being positioned at a headland or non-operational position; and 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a flow diagram of one embodiment of a method for controlling harvesting implement operation of an agricultural harvester in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. 
     
    
    
     Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present technology. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     In general, the present subject matter is directed to systems and methods for controlling harvesting implement operation of an agricultural harvester. As will be described below, the present subject matter may be used with a combine or any other suitable agricultural harvester having a header or other harvesting implement for harvesting a crop within a field across which the harvester is traveling. In this respect, the header may include a frame, a cutter bar configured to sever the crops present within the field from their stubble, and reel configured to direct the cut crops onto the header. Additionally, the header may be adjustable between one or more lowered or operational positions and a raised or non-operational position. When in the operational position(s), the header may be positioned at a predetermined height(s) above the field surface to permit the cutter bar of the header to sever crops present within the field from their stubble. Conversely, when in the non-operational position, the header may be lifted above the operational position(s). For example, moving the header to the non-operational position when the harvester reaches the headland at the end of the crop row may allow the harvester to turn around. 
     In accordance with aspects of the present subject matter, the disclosed system may be configured to adjust one or more components and/or parameters of the header to prevent or reduce the amount of cut crops that fall off the header when the header is lifted from the operational position to the non-operational position. Specifically, in several embodiments, a controller of the disclosed system may be configured to receive an input (e.g., from the operator or a location sensor) indicating that the harvester has reached a headland or otherwise ceased a harvesting operation. Upon receipt of this input, the controller may be configured to initiate an adjustment to the fore/aft tilt angle of the header, the position of the reel relative to the header frame, and/or the position of the cutter bar relative to the header frame. For example, in one embodiment, upon receipt of the input, the controller may be configured to control the operation of one or more actuators such that the reel is lowered and/or moved rearward relative to the header frame, the cutter bar is lifted relative to the header frame, and/or the fore-aft tilt angle of the header is adjusted such that an aft end of the header is closer to the field surface than a forward end of the header. 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG.  1    illustrates a partial sectional side view of the agricultural harvester  10 . In general, the harvester  10  may be configured to travel across a field in a forward direction of travel (indicated by arrow  12 ) to harvest a crop  14 . While traversing the field, the harvester  10  may be configured to process and store the harvested crop within a crop tank  16  of the harvester  10 . Furthermore, the harvested crop may be unloaded from the crop tank  16  for receipt by the crop receiving vehicle (not shown) via a crop discharge tube  18  of the harvester  10 . Moreover, as shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the harvester  10  is configured as an axial-flow type combine in which the harvested crop is threshed and separated while being advanced by and along a longitudinally arranged rotor  20 . However, in alternative embodiments, the harvester  10  may have any other suitable harvester configuration, such as a traverse-flow type configuration. 
     The harvester  10  may include a chassis or main frame  22  configured to support and/or couple to various components of the harvester  10 . For example, in several embodiments, the harvester  10  may include a pair of driven, front wheels  24  and a pair of steerable, rear wheels  26  coupled to the frame  22 . As such, the wheels  24 ,  26  may be configured to support the harvester  10  relative to the ground and move the harvester  10  in the forward direction of travel  12 . Furthermore, the harvester  10  may include an operator&#39;s platform  28  having an operator&#39;s cab  30 , a crop processing system  32 , the crop tank  16 , and the crop discharge tube  18  that are supported by the frame  22 . As will be described below, the crop processing system  32  may be configured to perform various processing operations on the harvested crop as the crop processing system  32  transfers the harvested crop between a harvesting implement of the harvester  10 , such as a header  100 , and the crop tank  16 . Furthermore, the harvester  10  may include an engine  36  and a transmission  38  mounted on the frame  22 . The transmission  38  may be operably coupled to the engine  36  and may provide variably adjusted gear ratios for transferring engine power to the wheels  24  via a drive axle assembly (or via axles if multiple drive axles are employed). 
     Moreover, as shown in  FIG.  1   , the header  100  and an associated feeder  40  of the crop processing system  32  extend forward of the frame  22  and are pivotably secured thereto for generally vertical movement. In general, the feeder  40  may support the header  100 . As shown in  FIG.  1   , the feeder  40  extend between a front end  42  coupled to the header  100  and a rear end  44  positioned adjacent to a threshing and separating assembly  46  of the crop processing system  32 . The rear end  44  of the feeder  40  may, in turn, be pivotably coupled to a portion of the harvester  10 . In this respect, the front end  42  of the feeder  40  and, thus, the header  100  may be moved upward and downward along a vertical direction (indicated by arrow  48 ) relative to a field surface  49 . For example, the header  100  may be moved between one or more lowered or operational positions and a raised or non-operational position (sometimes referred to as headland position). As such, the harvester  10  may include one or more lift actuators  202  configured to adjust the height of the header  100  relative to the field surface  49 . 
     As the harvester  10  is propelled in the forward direction of travel  12  over the field with the crop  14 , the crop material is severed from the stubble by a cutter bar or sickle bar  102  ( FIG.  2   ) at the front of the header  100  and delivered to the front end  42  of the feeder  40 . The feeder  40  may, in turn, supply the harvested crop to the threshing and separating assembly  46 . In general, the threshing and separating assembly  46  may include a cylindrical chamber  56  in which the rotor  20  is rotated to thresh and separate the harvested crop received therein. That is, the harvested crop is rubbed and beaten between the rotor  20  and the inner surfaces of the chamber  56  to loosen and separate the grain, seed, or the like from the straw. 
     The harvested crop separated by the threshing and separating assembly  46  may fall onto a crop cleaning assembly  58  of the crop processing system  34 . In general, the crop cleaning assembly  58  may include a series of pans  60  and associated sieves  62 . The separated harvested crop may be spread out via the oscillation of pans  60  and/or sieves  62  and may eventually fall through apertures defined by the sieves  62 . Additionally, a cleaning fan  64  may be positioned adjacent to one or more of the sieves  62  to provide an air flow through the sieves  62  that removes chaff and other impurities from the harvested crop. For instance, the fan  64  may blow the impurities off the harvested crop for discharge from the harvester  10  through the outlet of a straw hood  66  positioned at the back end of the harvester  10 . The cleaned harvested crop passing through the sieves  62  may then fall into a trough of an auger  68 , which may be configured to transfer the harvested crop to an elevator  70  for delivery to the crop tank  16 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  2   , a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a header  100  is illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. In the illustrated embodiment, the header  100  is configured as a draper header. However, in alternative embodiments, the header  100  may be configured as any other suitable type of harvesting implement, such as an auger header. Additionally, as shown, the header  100  defines a longitudinal axis (indicated dashed line  104 ) extending between a forward end  106  of the header  100  and an aft end  108  of the header  100 . Furthermore, the header  100  extends in the vertical direction  48  between a bottom end  110  of the header  100  and a top end  112  of the header  100 . 
     In several embodiments, the header  100  may be coupled to the feeder  40  to permit a fore/aft tilt angle (indicated by arrow  114 ) of the header  100  to be adjusted. As used herein, the “fore/aft tilt angle” is the angle defined between the longitudinal axis  104  of the header  100  and the field surface  49 . Specifically, in one embodiment, the header  100  may be pivotably coupled to the front end  42  of the feeder  40  at a pivot joint  116 . In such an embodiment, the harvester  10  may include one or more tilt actuators  204  configured to adjust the fore/aft tilt angle  104  of the header  100  by pivoting the header  100  relative to the feeder  40  about the pivot joint  116  (e.g., as indicated by the arrow  118  in  FIG.  2   ). In this respect, adjusting the fore/aft tilt angle of header  100  may position one of the forward or aft ends  106 ,  108  of the header  100  closer to the field surface  49  than the other of the forward or aft ends  106 ,  108  of the header  100 . However, in alternative embodiments, the header  100  may be fixedly coupled to the feeder  40 . 
     Moreover, the header  100  may include a frame  120  configured to support and/or couple to a plurality of components of the header  100 . Specifically, in several embodiments, the frame  120  may include an aft frame portion  122  coupled to the forward end  42  of the feeder  40  (e.g., via the pivot joint  116 ). As shown, the frame  120  supports a cutter bar or sickle bar  102  positioned at the forward end  106  of the header  100 . The cutter bar  102  may include a plurality of knives or teeth (not shown) configured to sever the crop  14  ( FIG.  1   ) present within the field from the stubble. In one embodiment, the cutter bar  102  may be coupled to a plurality of arms  126  (one is shown). Each arm  126  may, in turn, extend rearward such that it is pivotably coupled to the aft frame portion  122  at a pivot joint  128 . In such an embodiment, one or more cutter bar adjustment actuators  206  may be configured to adjust the position of cutter bar  102  by pivoting the arms  126  relative to the aft frame portion  122  about the pivot joint  128  (e.g., as indicated by the arrow  130  in  FIG.  2   ). Pivoting the arms  126  in this manner may raise and lower the cutter bar  102  relative to the header frame  120 . Additionally, the header frame  120  may be configured to support a plurality of conveyor belts  132  (one is shown) configured to transport the severed crop material from the cutter bar  102  to the feeder  40 . For example, in one embodiment, as shown, the arms  126  supporting the cutter bar  102  extend between a top span  134  of each conveyor belt  132  and a lower span  136  of each conveyor belt  132 . However, in alternative embodiments, the header  100  may include any other suitable components and/or be configured in any other suitable manner. For example, in one embodiment, the header  100  may include one or more augers (not shown) in lieu of the conveyor belts  132 . 
     Furthermore, the header  100  may include a reel assembly  138  positioned adjacent to the top end  112  of the header  100 . In general, the reel assembly  138  may be configured to direct the crop material severed by the cutter bar  102  onto the conveyor belts  132 . Specifically, in several embodiments, the reel assembly  138  may include a reel  140  and a support arm  142  configured to support the reel  140  to the header frame  120 . In one embodiment, the support arm  142  may include a first support arm portion  144  coupled the aft frame portion  122  of the header  100 . Moreover, the support arm  142  may include a second support arm portion  146  extending forward from and pivotably coupled to the first support arm portion  144  at a pivot joint  148 . In such an embodiment, the reel  140  may be rotatably coupled to a pillow block  150  configured to slide along the second support arm portion  146 . Additionally, in some embodiments, the reel  140  may include a plurality of tines  152 , with the tines  152  arranged circumferentially around the reel  140 . However, in alternative embodiments, the reel assembly  138  may be configured in any other suitable manner. 
     In several embodiments, the reel assembly  138  may include various actuators configured to adjust the position of the reel  140  relative to the header frame  120 . For example, in one embodiment, the reel assembly  138  may include one or more lift actuators  208  configured to adjust the position of the reel  140  in the vertical direction  48  by pivoting the second support arm portion  146  relative to the first support arm portion  144  by about the pivot joint  148  (e.g., as indicated by the arrow  154  in  FIG.  2   ). Moreover, in such an embodiment, the reel assembly  140  may include one or more slide actuators  210  configured to adjust the position of the reel  140  along the longitudinal axis  104  of the header  100  by sliding the pillow block  150  relative to the second support arm portion  146  (e.g., as indicated by the arrow  156  in  FIG.  2   ). As such, the actuators  208 ,  210  may permit the reel  140  to moved forward, aft, up, and down relative to the header frame  120  and the cutter bar  102 . However, in alternative embodiments, the reel assembly  140  may include any other suitable actuators configured to adjust the position of the reel  140  relative to the header frame  120 . 
     The actuators  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208 ,  210  may correspond to any suitable types of actuating devices. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the actuators  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208 ,  210  correspond to fluid-driven cylinders (e.g., hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders). However, in alternative embodiments, the actuators  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208 ,  210  may correspond to electric linear actuators and/or the like. 
     It should be further appreciated that the configurations of the agricultural harvester  10  and the header  100  described above and shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2    are provided only to place the present subject matter in an exemplary field of use. Thus, it should be appreciated that the present subject matter may be readily adaptable to any manner of agricultural harvester and/or harvesting implement configurations. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  3   , a schematic view of one embodiment of a system  200  for controlling harvesting implement operation of an agricultural harvester is illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. In general, the system  200  will be described herein with reference to the agricultural harvester  10  and the header  100  described above with reference to  FIGS.  1  and  2   . However, it should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the disclosed system  200  may generally be utilized with agricultural harvesters having any other suitable harvester configuration and/or harvesting implements having any other suitable harvesting implement configuration. 
     As shown in  FIG.  3   , the system  100  may include a location sensor  212  provided in operative association with the agricultural harvester  10 . In general, the location sensor  212  may be configured to capture data indicative of the current location of the harvester  10  within the field. Specifically, in several embodiments, the location sensor  212  may be configured as a GNSS-based satellite navigation positioning system (e.g. a GPS system, a Galileo positioning system, the Global Navigation satellite system (GLONASS), the BeiDou Satellite Navigation and Positioning system, and/or the like). In such embodiments, the location data captured by the location sensor  212  may be transmitted to a controller(s) of the harvester  10  (e.g., in the form coordinates) and stored within the controller&#39;s memory for subsequent processing and/or analysis. For instance, based on the known dimensional configuration and/or relative positioning between the location sensor  212  and the header  100  of the vehicle  10 , the location data from the location sensor  212  may be used to geo-locate or otherwise determine the current location of the header  100  within the field. 
     In accordance with aspects of the present subject matter, the system  200  may include a controller  214  positioned on and/or within or otherwise associated with the harvester  10  (e.g., mounted within the harvester  10  or the header  100 ). In general, the controller  214  may comprise any suitable processor-based device known in the art, such as a computing device or any suitable combination of computing devices. Thus, in several embodiments, the controller  214  may include one or more processor(s)  216  and associated memory device(s)  218  configured to perform a variety of computer-implemented functions. As used herein, the term “processor” refers not only to integrated circuits referred to in the art as being included in a computer, but also refers to a controller, a microcontroller, a microcomputer, a programmable logic controller (PLC), an application specific integrated circuit, and other programmable circuits. Additionally, the memory device(s)  218  of the controller  214  may generally comprise memory element(s) including, but not limited to, a computer readable medium (e.g., random access memory (RAM)), a computer readable non-volatile medium (e.g., a flash memory), a floppy disc, a compact disc-read only memory (CD-ROM), a magneto-optical disc (MOD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), and/or other suitable memory elements. Such memory device(s)  218  may generally be configured to store suitable computer-readable instructions that, when implemented by the processor(s)  216 , configure the controller  214  to perform various computer-implemented functions. 
     In addition, the controller  214  may also include various other suitable components, such as a communications circuit or module, a network interface, one or more input/output channels, a data/control bus and/or the like, to allow controller  214  to be communicatively coupled to any of the various other system components described herein (e.g., the actuators  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208 ,  210  and the location sensor  212 ). For instance, as shown in  FIG.  3   , a communicative link or interface  220  (e.g., a data bus) may be provided between the controller  214  and the components  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208 ,  210 ,  212  to allow the controller  214  to communicate with such components  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208 ,  210 ,  212  via any suitable communications protocol (e.g., CANBUS). 
     The controller  214  may correspond to an existing controller(s) of the harvester  10 , itself, or the controller  214  may correspond to a separate processing device. For instance, in one embodiment, the controller  214  may form all or part of a separate plug-in module that may be installed in association with the harvester  10  to allow for the disclosed systems to be implemented without requiring additional software to be uploaded onto existing control devices of the implement harvester  10 . 
     The functions of the controller  214  may be performed by a single processor-based device or may be distributed across any number of processor-based devices, in which instance such devices may be considered to form part of the controller  214 . For instance, the functions of the controller  214  may be distributed across multiple application-specific controllers, such as a navigation controller, an engine controller, a header controller, and/or the like. 
     Furthermore, in one embodiment, the system  200  may also include a user interface  222 . More specifically, the user interface  222  may be configured to receive input (e.g., input indicating that a harvesting operation has been ceased or resumed) from the operator of the harvester  10 . As such, the user interface  222  may include one or more input devices (not shown), such as touchscreens, keypads, touchpads, knobs, buttons, sliders, switches, mice, microphones, and/or the like, which are configured to receive user inputs from the operator. The user interface  222  may, in turn, be communicatively coupled to the controller  214  via the communicative link  220  to permit the feedback to be transmitted from the user interface  222  to the controller  214 . In addition, some embodiments of the user interface  222  may include one or more feedback devices (not shown), such as display screens, speakers, warning lights, and/or the like, which are configured to provide feedback from the controller  214  to the operator. In one embodiment, the user interface  222  may be mounted or otherwise positioned within the operator&#39;s cab  30  of the harvester  10 . However, in alternative embodiments, the user interface  222  may mounted at any other suitable location. 
     In several embodiments, the controller  214  may be configured to control the operation of the agricultural harvester  10  such that the harvester  10  is moved across a field to perform a harvesting operation. For example, the controller  214  may be configured to control operation of one or more components of the harvester  10  (e.g., the engine  36 , the transmission  38 , and/or the crop processing system  32 ) such that harvester  10  travels across the field in the forward direction of travel  12 , thereby performing a harvesting operation on the field. 
     Additionally, the controller  214  may be configured to receive a first input indicating that the harvesting operation being performed by the harvester  10  has ceased. For example, the harvesting operation may cease when the harvester  10  (and, more specifically, the header  100 ) reaches a headland region of the field, such as at the end of one or more crop rows within the field. As will be described below, when the harvesting operation has ceased, the header  100  may be lifted from a lowered or operational position to a raised or non-operational position to facilitate movement of the harvester  10  within the headland region. 
     In one embodiment, the controller  214  may be configured to receive the first input from the operator of the harvester  10 . As described above, the harvester  10  may include a user interface  222  configured to receive inputs from the operator. In this respect, when the harvesting operation being performed by the harvester  10  has ceased, the operator may interact with the user interface  222  (e.g., by pressing a button or otherwise engaging an interface element) to provide the first input. Upon receipt of the first input, the user interface  222  transmit data associated with the input to the controller  214  (e.g., via the communicative link  220 ). 
     In another embodiment, the controller  214  may be configured to receive the first input from the location sensor  212 . As described above, the location sensor  212  may be configured to capture data indicative of the current location of the harvester  10  within the field. In this respect, as the harvester  10  travels across the field, the controller  214  may be configured to receive the captured location data from the location sensor  212  (e.g., via the communicative link  220 ). Based on the received location data, the controller  214  may then access a field map stored within its memory  218  to determine location of the header  100  relative to one or more crop rows and/or headland regions present within the field. 
     As used herein, a “field map” may generally correspond to any suitable dataset that correlates data to various locations within a field. Thus, for example, a field map may simply correspond to a data table that provides the locations of the crop rows and/or headland regions present within the field. Alternatively, a field map may correspond to a more complex data structure, such as a geospatial numerical model that can be used to identify the locations of the crop rows and/or headland regions present within the field. 
     In accordance with aspects of the present subject matter, the controller  214  may be configured to initiate an adjustment to one or more components and/or operating parameters of the header  100  when the harvesting operation being performed by the harvester  10  is ceased. More specifically, when the harvester  10  ceases a harvesting operation, the header  100  may be lifted from a lowered or operational position to a raised or non-operational position. This movement of the header  100  may cause the harvested crop material present on the header  100  (i.e., crop material that has not yet entered the feeder  40 ) to fall off the header  100 . The crop material that falls off the header  100  is, in turn, wasted. As such, upon receipt of the first input (thereby indicating that the harvester  10  has ceased the harvesting operation), the controller  214  may be configured to initiate an adjustment to the position of the reel  140  relative to the header frame  120 , the position of the cutter bar  102  relative to the header frame  120 , and/or the fore/aft tilt angle of the header  100 . As will be described below, such adjustment(s) may, in turn, prevent or reduce the amount of harvested crop material that falls off the header  100  when the header  100  is lifted from the operational position to the non-operational position. 
     In several embodiments, upon receipt of the first input, the controller  214  may be configured to control the operation of the reel lift actuator(s)  208  to lower the position of the reel  140  relative to header frame  120 . More specifically, as shown in  FIG.  4   , during the performance of the harvesting operation, the reel  140  is located at a predetermined position above the header frame  120  such that the reel  140  directs the crop material severed by the cutter bar  102  onto the conveyor belts  132 . When the first input is received (thereby indicating that the harvester  10  has ceased the harvesting operation), the controller  214  may be configured to transmit control signals to the reel lift actuator(s)  208  (e.g., via the communicative link  208 ). The control signals may, in turn, instruct the actuator(s)  208  to lower the reel  140  in the vertical direction  48  relative to the header frame  120  as shown in  FIG.  5   , such as to the lowest position of the reel  140  in the vertical direction  48 . Lowering the reel  140  relative to header frame  120  may retain the harvested crop materials on the header  100  as the header  100  is lifted to the non-operational position. 
     Additionally, in several embodiments, upon receipt of the first input, the controller  214  may be configured to control the operation of the reel slide actuator(s)  210  to move the reel  140  rearward relative to header frame  120 . More specifically, as shown in  FIG.  4   , during the performance of the harvesting operation, the reel  140  is located at a predetermined position adjacent to the forward end  106  of the header  100  such that the reel  140  directs the crop material severed by the cutter bar  102  onto the conveyor belts  132 . When the first input is received (thereby indicating that the harvester  10  has ceased the harvesting operation), the controller  214  may be configured to transmit control signals to the reel slide actuator(s)  210  (e.g., via the communicative link  208 ). The control signals may, in turn, instruct the actuator(s)  210  to move the reel  140  rearward relative to the forward direction of travel  12  as shown in  FIG.  5   , such as to the rearmost position of the reel  140 . Moving the reel  140  rearward relative to header frame  120  may pull crop material hanging off the forward end  106  of the header  100  onto the header  100 , thereby preventing such crop material from falling off the header  100  as the header  100  is lifted to the non-operational position. 
     In general, the above-described adjustments to the position of the reel  140  sweep the reel  140  across the cutter bar  102 , thereby cleaning crop material off the cutter bar  102 . More specifically, the reel  140  is typically positioned in front of the cutter bar  102  during a harvesting operation. In such instances, the reel  140  may be lowered and then moved rearward across the cutter bar  102  to sweep the crop material present on the cutter bar  102  onto the conveyor belts  132 . However, in certain instances, the reel  140  may be positioned behind of the cutter bar  102  during the harvesting operation. In such instances, the reel  140  may be initially moved forward of the cutter bar  102 . Thereafter, the reel  140  may be lowered and then moved rearward across the cutter bar  102  to sweep the crop material present on the cutter bar  102  onto the conveyor belts  132 . 
     Furthermore, in several embodiments, upon receipt of the first input, the controller  214  may be configured to control the operation of the cutter bar adjustment actuator(s)  206  to raise the cutter bar  102  relative to header frame  120 . More specifically, as shown in  FIG.  4   , during the performance of the harvesting operation, the cutter bar  102  is located at a lowered position relative to the header frame  120  to permit the cutter bar  102  to sever the crops present within the field from their stubble. When the first input is received (thereby indicating that the harvester  10  has ceased the harvesting operation), the controller  214  may be configured to transmit control signals to the cutter bar adjustment actuator(s)  206  (e.g., via the communicative link  208 ). The control signals may, in turn, instruct the actuator(s)  206  to raise the cutter bar  102  in the vertical direction  48  relative to the header frame  120  as shown in  FIG.  5   , such as to the highest position of the cutter bar  102  in the vertical direction  48 . Raising the cutter bar  102  relative to header frame  120  may prevent crop material from falling off the forward end  106  of the header  100  as the header  100  is lifted to the non-operational position. Moreover, such an adjustment may also bring the cutter bar  102  closer to the reel  140  to allow the reel  140  to better sweep the crop material present on the cutter bar  102  onto the conveyor belts  132 . 
     Moreover, in several embodiments, upon receipt of the first input, the controller  214  may be configured to control the operation of the header tilt actuator(s)  204  to adjust the fore/aft tilt angle of the header  100 . More specifically, as shown in  FIG.  4   , during the performance of the harvesting operation, the fore/aft tilt angle of the header  100  is set such that the forward end  106  of the header  100  is closer to the field surface than the aft end  108  of the header  100 . Such positioning permits the cutter bar  102  to sever the crops present within the field from their stubble. When the first input is received (thereby indicating that the harvester  10  has ceased the harvesting operation), the controller  214  may be configured to transmit control signals to the header tilt actuator(s)  204  (e.g., via the communicative link  208 ). The control signals may, in turn, instruct the actuator(s)  204  to adjust the fore/aft tilt angle of the header  100  such that the aft end  108  of the header  100  is closer to the field surface than the forward end  106  of the header  100  as shown in  FIG.  5    or to a flatter angle. Adjusting the fore-aft tilt angle in this manner may prevent crop material from falling off the forward end  106  of the header  100  as the header  100  is lifted to the non-operational position. 
     The adjustment(s) to the position of the reel  140 , the position of the cutter bar  102 , and/or the fore/aft tilt angle of the header  100  made be performed in any suitable order. In several embodiments, such adjustment(s) may be performed sequentially. For example, in one embodiment, the cutter bar  102  may be raised first, the fore/aft tilt angle of the header  100  may be adjusted second, the reel  140  may be lowered third, and the reel  140  may be moved rearward fourth. In another embodiment, such adjustments may be performed simultaneously. 
     After the adjustment(s) to the position of the reel  140 , the position of the cutter bar  102 , and/or the fore/aft tilt angle of the header  100  are performed, the controller  214  may be configured to control the operation of the header lift actuator(s)  202  to lift the header  100  to the non-operational position. Specifically, the controller  214  may be configured to transmit control signals to the header lift actuator(s)  202  (e.g., via the communicative link  208 ). The control signals may, in turn, instruct the actuator(s)  202  to adjust the adjust the position of the header  100  in the vertical direction  48  relative to the field surface such that the header  100  is lifted from the operational position to the non-operational position. Raising the header  100  to the non-operational position may allow the harvester  10  to more easily travel across a headland, such as to turn around at the end of one or more crop rows. 
     In addition, the controller  214  may be configured to initiate another adjustment to one or more components and/or operating parameters of the header  100  when the harvesting operation being performed by the harvester  10  is resumed. More specifically, a harvesting operation that was ceased may be subsequently resumed, such as after the harvester  10  has turned around in a headland region. In such instances, the controller  214  may be configured to receive a second input indicating that the harvesting operation being performed by the harvester  10  is being resumed (e.g., from the user interface  222  or the location sensor  212 ). Upon receipt of the second input, the controller  214  may be configured to initiate another adjustment to the position of the reel  140  relative to the header frame  120 , the position of the cutter bar  102  relative to the header frame  120 , and/or the fore/aft tilt angle of the header  100 . For example, the controller  214  may be configured to control the operation of the actuators  204 ,  206 ,  208 ,  210  such that the reel  140  is raised and/or moved rearward relative to the header frame  120 , the cutter bar  102  is lowered relative to the header frame  120 , and the fore/aft tilt angle of the header  100  is adjusted such that the forward end  106  of the header  100  is closer to the field surface than the aft end  108  of the header  100 . Such adjustment(s) may facilitate harvesting of the crops present within the field as the harvester  10  travels across the field in the direction of travel  12 . After such adjustment(s) is made, the controller  214  may be configured to control the operation of the header lift actuator(s)  202  to lower the header  100  relative to the field surface from the non-operational position to the operational position. Thereafter, the harvester  10  may resume the harvesting operation. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  6   , a flow diagram of one embodiment of a method  300  for controlling harvesting implement operation of an agricultural harvester is illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. In general, the method  300  will be described herein with reference to the agricultural harvester  10 , the header  100 , and the system  200  described above with reference to  FIGS.  1 - 5   . However, it should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the disclosed method  300  may generally be implemented with agricultural harvesters having any other suitable harvester configuration, with harvesting implements having any other suitable harvesting implement configuration, and/or within systems having any other suitable system configuration. In addition, although  FIG.  6    depicts steps performed in a particular order for purposes of illustration and discussion, the methods discussed herein are not limited to any particular order or arrangement. One skilled in the art, using the disclosures provided herein, will appreciate that various steps of the methods disclosed herein can be omitted, rearranged, combined, and/or adapted in various ways without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIG.  6   , at ( 302 ), the method  300  may include controlling, with one or more computing devices, the operation of an agricultural harvester such that the agricultural harvester is moved across a field to perform a harvesting operation. For instance, as described above, the controller  214  may be configured to control the operation of one or more components of the agricultural harvester  10  (e.g., the engine  36 , the transmission  38 , and/or the crop-processing system  32 ) such that the harvester  10  is moved across a field to perform a harvesting operation thereon. 
     Additionally, at ( 304 ), the method  300  may include receiving, with the one or more computing devices, a first input indicating that the harvesting operation has ceased. For instance, as described above, the controller  214  may be configured to receive an input (e.g., from the location sensor  212  or the user interface  222 ) indicating that the harvesting operation being performed by the harvester  10  has ceased. 
     Moreover, as shown in  FIG.  6   , at ( 306 ), after receiving the first input, the method  300  may include initiating, with the one or more computing devices, a first adjustment to at least one of a fore/aft tilt angle defined between the longitudinal axis of a harvesting implement of the agricultural harvester and a field surface, the position of a reel of the harvesting implement relative to a frame of the harvester implement, or the position of a cutter bar of the harvesting implement relative to the frame. For instance, as described above, after receiving the input, the controller  214  may be configured to initiate an adjustment to the fore/aft tilt angle  114  of the header  100  (e.g., by controlling the operation of the actuator(s)  206 ), the position of the reel  140  to a header frame  120  (e.g., by controlling the operation of the actuators  208 ,  210 ), and/or the position of a cutter bar  102  relative to the header frame  120  (e.g., by controlling the operation of the actuator(s)  206 ). 
     It is to be understood that the steps of the method  300  are performed by the controller  214  upon loading and executing software code or instructions which are tangibly stored on a tangible computer readable medium, such as on a magnetic medium, e.g., a computer hard drive, an optical medium, e.g., an optical disc, solid-state memory, e.g., flash memory, or other storage media known in the art. Thus, any of the functionality performed by the controller  214  described herein, such as the method  300 , is implemented in software code or instructions which are tangibly stored on a tangible computer readable medium. The controller  214  loads the software code or instructions via a direct interface with the computer readable medium or via a wired and/or wireless network. Upon loading and executing such software code or instructions by the controller  214 , the controller  214  may perform any of the functionality of the controller  214  described herein, including any steps of the method  300  described herein. 
     The term “software code” or “code” used herein refers to any instructions or set of instructions that influence the operation of a computer or controller. They may exist in a computer-executable form, such as machine code, which is the set of instructions and data directly executed by a computer&#39;s central processing unit or by a controller, a human-understandable form, such as source code, which may be compiled in order to be executed by a computer&#39;s central processing unit or by a controller, or an intermediate form, such as object code, which is produced by a compiler. As used herein, the term “software code” or “code” also includes any human-understandable computer instructions or set of instructions, e.g., a script, that may be executed on the fly with the aid of an interpreter executed by a computer&#39;s central processing unit or by a controller. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the technology, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the technology, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the technology is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.