Patent Publication Number: US-2023148473-A1

Title: Adjustable billet deflector

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to a sugarcane harvester and more particularly to a cleaning arrangement of a sugar cane harvester that assists in separating sugarcane billets from leaves, dirt, and other trash. 
     A sugarcane harvester severs sugarcane plants from the ground with a base cutter assembly and transports the severed plants to a set of chopping drums that chop the severed plant into smaller billets. The billets are sent through a cleaning arrangement to separate the billets from non-billet material such as leaves, dirt, and other trash. Passing through the cleaning system, the billets are then dispatched to stowed in, for example, a trailing vehicle. 
     SUMMARY 
     A cleaning arrangement for separating a billet material from an extraneous plant matter in a sugarcane harvester includes a cleaning chamber defining an inlet for the billet material and the extraneous plant matter, a first outlet for the extraneous plant matter, and a second outlet for the billet material. A fan is positioned within the cleaning chamber and configured to generate an airflow to direct the extraneous plant matter toward the first outlet. A billet deflector is located between the inlet and the first outlet and configured to direct the billet material toward the second outlet. An actuation mechanism is coupled to the billet deflector and is controllable to adjust the position of the billet deflector. A sensor is configured to generate a signal. A controller is programmed to activate the actuation mechanism to adjust the position of the billet deflector based on the signal. 
     A method of separating a billet material from an extraneous plant matter in a sugarcane harvester includes impinging the billet material against a billet deflector to direct the billet material across a cleaning chamber, modifying a trajectory of the billet material away from a first outlet and towards a second outlet, monitoring an output signal of a sensor, determining whether the output signal is outside of a predetermined range, and activating an actuation mechanism in response to the signal to modify a position of the billet deflector relative to a fan when the output signal is outside of the predetermined range. 
     A cleaning arrangement for separating a billet material from an extraneous plant matter in a sugarcane harvester includes a cleaning chamber defining an inlet for the billet material and the extraneous plant matter, a first outlet for the extraneous plant matter, and a second outlet for the billet material. A fan is positioned within the cleaning chamber and configured to generate an airflow to direct the extraneous plant matter toward the first outlet. A billet deflector is located between the inlet and the first outlet and configured to direct the billet material toward the second outlet. An actuation mechanism is coupled to the billet deflector and is controllable to adjust the position of the billet deflector. A controller is programmed to compare a current position of the billet deflector to a desired position of the billet deflector. The controller is programmed to activate the actuation mechanism if the current position of the billet deflector differs from the desired position of the billet deflector by more than a predetermined threshold. 
     Other features and aspects of the disclosure will become apparent by consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1 A  is a perspective view of a sugarcane harvester. 
         FIG.  1 B  is a side view of the sugarcane harvester of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  1 C  is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of the sugarcane harvester of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  2 A  is a cross-sectional view of a cleaning arrangement of the sugarcane harvester having a billet deflector. 
         FIG.  2 B  is a side view of the billet deflector. 
         FIG.  2 C  is a perspective view of the billet deflector. 
         FIG.  3    is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning arrangement having the billet deflector in a first position and orientation. 
         FIG.  4    is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning arrangement having the billet deflector in a second position and orientation. 
         FIG.  5    is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning arrangement having the billet deflector in a third position and orientation. 
         FIG.  6    is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning arrangement having the billet deflector in a fourth position and orientation. 
         FIG.  7    is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning arrangement having the billet deflector in a fifth position and orientation. 
         FIG.  8    is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning arrangement having the billet deflector in a sixth position and orientation. 
         FIG.  9    is a schematic representation of a control system. 
         FIG.  10    is a flow chart illustrating a first operational mode for controlling the billet deflector. 
         FIG.  11    is a flow chart illustrating a second operational mode for controlling the billet deflector. 
     
    
    
     Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The disclosure is capable of supporting other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before any implementations of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of supporting other implementations and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. 
       FIG.  1 A  illustrates a harvester  10 , such as a sugarcane harvester, configured to harvest crop from a field  14 . The illustrated harvester  10  includes a main frame  20  supported on wheels  24  that engage the field  14  in order to move the harvester  10  across the field  14  in a direction of travel  28  ( FIG.  1 B ). In some implementations, the wheels  24  may include continuous tracks  26  or other traction devices. An operator&#39;s cab  32  is mounted on the frame  20  above a prime mover  36 , such as an engine. The prime mover  36  may be an internal combustion engine or other such device for providing motive power. The harvester  10  includes a throttle  40  for controlling a speed of the prime mover  36  and thus a speed of the harvester  10  (also referred to as the harvester speed). The harvester  10  includes a pair of crop lifters  52  mounted to the front of the frame  20 , defining an inlet  56  for receiving the crop. 
       FIG.  1 B  illustrates a side view of the harvester  10  with portions removed. The crop lifters  52  cooperate with a knockdown roller  60  and a base cutter  64  to remove the crop from the field  14 . Feed rollers  68  are disposed within the inlet  56  to feed the crop from the field  14  into the harvester  10 . The feed rollers  68  operate at a feed speed. The harvester  10  further includes a chopper  76 , and a cleaning arrangement or cleaning system  78  (also referred to herein as residue discharge system) including a primary separator  80  and/or a secondary separator  88 . The harvester  10  also includes a conveyor  84  (also referred to herein as an elevator) connecting the primary separator  80  and the secondary separator  88 . 
       FIG.  1 C  illustrates the chopper  76  and the cleaning system  78  in more detail. The chopper  76  is disposed adjacent the feed rollers  68  to cut the crop. The chopper  76  may include a set of chopper drums  92  driven by a motor. The chopper drums  92  include a blade  96  for cutting the stalks of the crop. In one implementation, the chopper  76  may include counter rotating drum cutters with overlapping blades. In other implementations, the chopper  76  may include any suitable blade or blades for cutting the stalks of crop. The chopper  76  cuts the stalks of crop, referred to as cane C, into crop billet B, which includes pieces of the stalk. The crop also includes dirt, leaves, roots, and other plant matter, which is collectively referred to herein as extraneous plant matter. The chopper  76  operates at a chopper speed, which may be adjusted to change a size and weight of the resulting chopped crop pieces. The chopper  76  directs a stream of the cut crop, including crop billet B and extraneous plant matter, to the cleaning system  78  and specifically to the primary separator  80 . 
     The cleaning system  78  is generally configured to distinguish between the billet B and the extraneous plant matter. (The extraneous plant matter may be referred to herein as residue, especially when ejected from the cleaning system  78 ). The cleaning system  78  is generally operable at an adjustable cleaning speed. The primary separator  80  is coupled to the frame  20  and disposed downstream of the chopper  76  for receiving cut crop from the chopper  76 . The primary separator  80  generally separates the extraneous plant matter from the crop billet B by way of any suitable mechanism for cleaning the cut crop, such as a fan, a source of compressed air, a rake, a shaker, or any other mechanism that distinguishes various types of crop parts by weight, size, shape, etc. in order to separate extraneous plant matter from crop billet. In the illustrated implementation, the primary separator  80  includes a primary fan  108  driven at a primary fan speed by a primary motor  116 . The primary fan speed can be varied by controlling the primary motor  116 . Thus, in the illustrated implementation, the cleaning speed may include the primary fan speed; however in other implementations, the cleaning speed may include air speed (e.g., of released compressed air or any other pressurized air), rake speed, shaker speed, etc. The primary separator  80  further includes a primary cleaning chamber  120  generally defined by a primary cleaner housing  124 . 
     The primary separator  80  includes a primary hood  128  coupled to the main frame  20 . The primary hood  128  may have a domed shape, or other suitable shape, and includes a primary opening  132  (also referred to herein as first outlet) angled out from the harvester  10  and facing slightly down towards the field  14 . The hood directs separated extraneous plant matter through the primary opening  132  to the outside of the harvester, back onto the field  14 . In some implementations the primary separator  80  includes a primary shredder  140  that shreds the residue into smaller pieces (primary residue  136 ), which can be selectively activated by an operator. The separated crop, including mostly crop billet B, is directed to an outlet of the cleaning chamber  120  and is deposited in a basket  144  disposed below the primary separator  80 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG.  1 C , the conveyor  84  is coupled to a rear of the frame  20  for receiving the separated crop from the basket  144 . The conveyor  84  extends from the rear of the harvester  10  and terminates at a discharge opening  164  (also referred to herein as a second outlet) elevated to a height suitable for discharging cleaned crop into a vehicle. The second outlet does not discharge the harvested material to the field, like the first outlet, but instead discharges the material to a collection vehicle. A secondary separator  88  is disposed adjacent the discharge opening  164  for cleaning the crop a second time before being discharged into the vehicle. The secondary separator  88  may include a fan, a compressed air source, a rake, a shaker, or other suitable device. In the illustrated implementation, the secondary separator  88  includes a secondary fan  180  driven at a secondary fan speed by a secondary motor  188 . The secondary separator  88  includes a secondary cleaning chamber  192  defined by a secondary cleaner housing  196 . The secondary cleaner housing  196  includes a secondary hood  200  having a secondary opening  204 . The secondary crop cleaner is operable such that additional extraneous plant matter is discharged through the secondary opening  204  and the remaining separated crop is discharged through the discharge opening  164  and into the vehicle. In some implementations, the secondary separator  88  includes a secondary shredder  214  that shreds the residue into smaller pieces (secondary residue  220 ), which can be selectively activated by the operator. 
       FIG.  2 A  illustrates the primary separator  80 , and more clearly illustrates a billet deflector  208  positioned at an outlet of the chopper  76 , which coincides with an inlet  212  of the primary cleaning chamber  120 . The billet deflector  208  is positioned within a flow path of the material entering the primary cleaning chamber  120  such that the material, such as the crop billet material B, impinges against the billet deflector  208  and is physically redirected by the contact. The physical contact between the material and the billet deflector  208  (impinging against the billet deflector  208  and moving across the billet deflector  208 ) directs the crop across the cleaning chamber and additionally promotes separation of the billet material B from the extraneous plant matter. Use of a billet deflector  208  decreases losses of crop billet B through the opening or outlet  132  in the hood  128  as the crop billet B is redirected in a direction away from the outlet  132 . The crop billet B is directed instead toward a separate outlet  216  of the primary separator  80 , through which the billet material B is directed to the basket  144 , conveyor  84 , and discharge opening  164  (shown in  FIGS.  1 B and  1 C ). The extraneous plant matter, being generally lighter and less dense than the crop billet material B, impinges against the billet deflector  208  with less force and is drawn by the fan  108  through the opening  132 , where it is scattered to the field  14 . 
     Placement and orientation of the billet deflector  208  relative to the inlet  212  of the cleaning chamber  120  (in addition to other settings such as fan speed, crop condition, harvesting applications, etc.) factors into the billet loss through the outlet  132  in the hood  128 . If the billet deflector  208  is positioned at a first angle or has a first length that does not substantially direct the billet material B away from the fan  108  and outlet  132 , the amount of billet loss through the outlet  132  is greater than a second angle or has a second length that does substantially direct the billet material B away from the fan  108  and outlet  132 . Similarly, the placement and orientation of the billet deflector  208  factors into the waste harvest of the extraneous plant matter through the outlet  216  to the basket  144 . If the billet deflector  208  is positioned at the second angle or has the second length to minimize billet loss through the outlet  132 , the fan  108  is unable to efficiently draw the extraneous plant matter through the outlet  132  in the hood  128 , resulting in unwanted harvesting of the extraneous plant matter. 
       FIGS.  3 - 8    illustrate the billet deflector  208  positioned at various angles and extended/retracted to various lengths to modify the effect of the billet deflector  208  on the chopped billet material B and the extraneous plant matter. As shown in greater detail in  FIGS.  2 B and  2 C , a first adjustment mechanism (FAM)  224  and a second adjustment mechanism (SAM)  228  are coupled to the billet deflector  208  As shown in  FIGS.  3 - 8   , the first adjustment mechanism  224  adjusts an angle of the billet deflector  208  relative to the frame  20 , the inlet  212 , and the fan  108 . The second adjustment mechanism  228  adjusts a length of the billet deflector  208 . The length and angle of the billet deflector  208  may be controlled together or separately and may be adjusted simultaneously or at distinct times. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS.  2 B- 2 C , the first adjustment mechanism  224  includes a first linear actuator  230 A coupled at a first end to the frame  20  of the harvester  10  and coupled to the billet deflector  208  at a second end. The first linear actuator  230 A extends non-parallel with the billet deflector  208  and moves between an extended position and a retracted position to adjust the angle of the billet deflector  208 . The first linear actuator  230 A is located above the billet deflector  208 . A distal end of a piston of the linear actuator  230 A is coupled to the billet deflector  208  via a rod  234  that is rotatably coupled to one or both of the billet deflector  208  and the piston of the linear actuator  230 A. When the linear actuator  230 A is extended (downward), the billet deflector  208  is rotated about a rotational axis  232  to decrease an angle of the billet deflector  208  relative to a horizontal reference plane oriented parallel to the ground surface  14 . When the linear actuator  224  is retracted (upward), the billet deflector is rotated about the rotational axis  232  to increase the angle of the billet deflector  208 . As shown in  FIG.  2 C , the first adjustment mechanism  224  includes two separate linear actuators  230 A spaced apart from one another to share the load/weight of the billet deflector  208  and rotation of the billet deflector  208 . 
     The second adjustment mechanism  228  includes a second linear actuator  230 B coupled at a first portion  236  of the billet deflector  208  and coupled to a second portion  240  of the billet deflector  208  at a second end. The second adjustment mechanism/linear actuator  228  extends and retracts in a direction that is substantially parallel with the plane of the billet deflector  208 . The separate first and second portions  236 ,  240  overlap one another when the billet deflector  208  is in a retracted position. The first and second portions  236 ,  240  are coupled to one another via, for example, tracks  246 ,  250 , (or alternatively, fasteners and slots, etc.) and limited to linear in-plane translation relative to one another, as shown in  FIGS.  3 - 7   . As shown, the tracks  250  coupled to the second portion  240  of the billet deflector are I-shaped and slide within a slot of the tracks  246  coupled to the first portion  236 . When the linear actuator  228  extends, the second portion  240  moves relative to the first portion  236  to increase the overall length of the billet deflector. The linear actuators  224 ,  228  are electrically powered solenoids, though in other embodiments may be other electrical, pneumatic, or hydraulic systems capable of generating linear extension of the second portion  240  relative to the first portion  236  and capable of generating rotation of the billet deflector  208  (or rotation of one of the portions  236 ,  240  of the billet deflector  208 ). In some embodiments, a single actuator may function to generate both the linear translation of the portion  240  and rotation of the deflector  208 . 
     The various positions (e.g., lengths, angles, etc.) of the billet deflector  208 , as shown in  FIGS.  3 - 8   , are only a few of the potential positions achievable, with the billet deflector  208  being movable to various angles between a maximum and minimum angle and various lengths between a maximum length and a minimum length. The descriptions of  FIGS.  3 - 8    identify how the material from the inlet  212  interacts differently with the billet deflector  208  depending on the position of the billet deflector  208 . These descriptions assume similar harvesting conditions, such as similar material throughput. In operation, these harvesting conditions may be utilized as inputs for modifying the position of the billet deflector  208 . As such, an impingement force against the billet deflector  208  being greater at a first position relative to a second position assumes these similar harvesting conditions, though in normal use, the second position may be utilized when the material throughput is less such that the difference in the impingement force is never realized in normal use. In some embodiments, it is desirable that the separation of the billet material B and the extraneous plant matter is consistent, even in view of changing harvest conditions. To this end, the differences identified in the descriptions of  FIGS.  3 - 8    may be minimized by controlling the billet deflector  208  to account for these changes in harvest conditions. 
       FIG.  3    illustrates the billet deflector  208  in a first position and orientation that is lowered and fully extended. In the fully extended position, less extraneous plant matter is drawn through the outlet  132  (relative to a more retracted position) as the billet deflector blocks a greater percentage of the fan  108 . Further, in the fully extended position, the harvested material interacts with the billet deflector  208  for a greater amount of time, which can increase the separation between the billet material B and the extraneous plant matter. Additionally, in the lowered position, the material through the inlet  212  of the cleaning chamber  120  impinges against the billet deflector at a lesser angle of impingement  256  (compared to a raised position shown in  FIG.  4   ), thereby directing more material towards the outlet  216  and basket  144  and away from the outlet  132  of the hood  128 . Written another way, the chopped material enters the inlet  212  in a first direction  244  and the impingement surface  252  (the lower surface of the billet deflector  208 ) against which the chopped material strikes is nearer perpendicular to the direction  244  than in the raised position ( FIG.  4   ) such that the chopped material rebounds off of the impingement surface  252  in a second direction  248  towards the outlet  216 . As such, the position and orientation shown in  FIG.  3    results in high yield (i.e., retention of crop that will be sent to the mill for harvesting) of the crop billet B through the outlet  216 , but also results in relatively high waste harvest of the extraneous plant matter through the outlet  216 . 
       FIG.  4    illustrates the billet deflector  208  in a second position and orientation that is raised and fully extended. In comparison to the position and orientation shown in  FIG.  3   , the raised position increases the angle of impingement  256  such that the material is directed more closely to the outlet  132  of the hood  128  and the impinging force is lessened such that the impact is more of a glancing blow with a shallow reflection angle than the lowered position shown in  FIG.  3   . As such, the position and orientation shown in  FIG.  4    results in a potentially decreased yield of the crop billet B relative to the position and orientation shown in  FIG.  3    (due to loss of crop billet B through the outlet  132 ), however, the arrangement also results in increased efficiency of the fan  108  to draw out the extraneous plant matter such that it results in decreased waste harvest through the outlet  216 . 
       FIG.  5    illustrates the billet deflector  208  in a third position and orientation that is raised and fully retracted. In comparison to the position and orientation shown in  FIG.  4   , the fully retracted position decreases the overall surface area of the impingement surface  252  such that more material entering the inlet  212  bypasses the billet deflector  208  and instead passes to the outlet  132 . As such, the position and orientation shown in  FIG.  5    results in a potentially decreased yield of the crop billet B relative to the position and orientation shown in  FIG.  4    (due to loss of crop billet B through the outlet  132 ), however, the arrangement also results in increased efficiency of the fan  108  to draw out the extraneous plant matter such that it results in decreased waste harvest through the outlet  216 . 
       FIG.  6    illustrates the billet deflector  208  in a fourth position and orientation that is lowered and fully retracted. This position and orientation has the benefits of the angle shown in  FIG.  3    and the length shown in  FIG.  5   . The shorter length results in decreased waste harvest and the lower position results in a lesser angle of impingement  256 . 
       FIG.  7    illustrates the billet deflector  208  in a fifth position and orientation that is between the first and second positions in terms of angle and length. The billet deflector  208  is adjustable to a multitude of different lengths between the maximum length and the minimum length by controlling the extension and retraction of the linear actuator  228 . The billet deflector  208  is likewise adjustable to a multitude of different angles between the maximum angle and the minimum angle by controlling the extension and retraction of the linear actuator  224 .  FIG.  7    illustrates one of these multitudes of positions. 
       FIG.  8    illustrates the deflector in a sixth position and orientation. The sixth position and orientation are similar to the fifth position, though additionally includes a bent distal end. As shown, in some embodiments, modifying the position of the billet deflector  208  can include bending a portion of the billet deflector  208 . In some embodiments, the billet deflector  208  may be made of multiple distinct components or may be stressed to a curved position to further direct the crop billet B toward the outlet  216 . The shape shown in  FIG.  8    is only one of many non-linear shapes that may be generated in modifying the billet deflector  208 . Other shapes include those with greater or less concavity, those that extend upward at the distal end, and those that provide increased or decreased aerodynamics of the material. For example, the billet deflector  208  may be shaped in a non-linear fashion to further break apart the billet material B from the extraneous plant matter. 
     Extending the deflector  208  into the cleaning chamber  120  assists in cane cleaning. The crop billet B and extraneous plant matter enter the inlet  212  of the cleaning chamber  120  as a mat of material and elongating the billet deflector allows the incoming mat of harvested material to travel at a closer proximity to the primary extractor fan  108  while still limiting or preventing the sugarcane loss at the fan  108 . Airflow generated by the fan  108  has a greater velocity at locations near or closer to the blades of the fan  108  such that material extraction is increased the nearer the material is to the fan  108 . Increasing the length of the deflector  208  moves the material closer to the blades of the fan  108 , exposing the cane mat to higher air velocities, and increasing the separation between the billet material B and the extraneous plant matter while preventing the billets B from being extracted. 
     Additionally, the higher trajectory of the incoming material and the increased length of the deflector  208  allows for the material to travel across the cleaning chamber  120  at a greater height within the cleaning chamber  120  for a greater length of time, thereby increasing the extraction of extraneous plant matter through the outlet  132 . By providing the material the ability to flow across the cleaning chamber  120  at differing trajectories based on the position of the billet deflector  208 , the flight time or air time of the material can be increased or decreased to affect billet loss and extraneous plant matter harvest. The increased length of the deflector  208  additionally physically blocks the billets from being extracted out of the hood  128  at higher trajectories. 
     The separation of the mat from the inlet  212  into billet material B and extraneous plant matter is a dynamic process that occurs based on the movement of the material through the inlet  212 , the impingement of the material against the billet deflector  208  and the walls of the cleaning chamber  120 , and the airflow generated by the fan  108 . The longer that the material remains in motion and exposed to increased air velocities, the more extraneous matter that will be extracted out of the chamber  120  into the field. The conditions that dictate an improved material flow include, but are not limited to crop density, field conditions, and harvesting speeds. By modifying the position of the billet deflector  208 , the harvester  10  is configured to adapt to different field/harvesting environments. 
       FIG.  9    illustrates a schematic representation of a control system having a controller  300 , a user interface  304 , and a plurality of sensors  308 ,  312 ,  316 ,  320 ,  324 ,  328 . The controller may be located within the harvester  10  and may be incorporated into the ECU of the harvester  10 , may be electronically couplable to the ECU, or may be a separate system operable independent of the ECU. The controller  300  automatically modifies the position (including length, angle, curvature, etc.) of the billet deflector  208  based on various inputs from the user interface  304  and from the sensors  308 ,  312 ,  316 ,  320 ,  324 ,  328 . Control schemes are shown in  FIGS.  10 - 11   . With continued reference to  FIG.  9   , the user interface  304  is a console located within the operator&#39;s cab  32  having one or more inputs such as a touch screen, switches, dials, and buttons that can be actuated by a user/operator for modifying operation of the harvester  10 . The user interface  304  is electrically coupled to the controller  300  such that inputs provided by the user to the user interface  304  are transmitted to the controller  300 . Additionally, the controller  300  is operable to provide signals that generate outputs at the user interface  304  indicating information (e.g., vehicle status, vehicle performance) calculated, stored in, or otherwise transmitted by the controller  300 . In other embodiments, the angle and length of the billet deflector  208  are additionally or alternatively manually adjustable (via inputs in the cab, manually at the billet deflector  208 ). 
     A sensor  308  for the first adjustment mechanism  224  measures the displacement of the first adjustment mechanism  224 . The displacement of the first adjustment mechanism  224  is indicative of an angle of the billet deflector  208  relative to the inlet  212  and fan  108 . A sensor  312  for the second adjustment mechanism  228  measures the displacement of the second adjustment mechanism  228 , indicative of the length of the billet deflector  208  between the retracted position and the extended position. Various angles and lengths are shown in the different positions of the billet deflector  208  shown in  FIGS.  2 A- 8   . The controller  300  is electrically coupled to the sensors  308 ,  312  and receives signals from the sensors  308 ,  312  that indicate the displacement of the first and second adjustment mechanisms  224 ,  228  and the angle and extension of the billet deflector  208  associated therewith. 
     In some embodiments, the harvester  10  is equipped with a billet loss sensor  316  that measures billet loss through the outlet  132  of the hood  128  and a waste harvest sensor  320  that measures the amount of extraneous plant matter that is harvested through the outlet  216  of the cleaning chamber  120 . Written another way, the billet loss sensor  316  identifies how much billet (which should be harvested through the outlet  216 ) is lost through the outlet  132  intended for the extraneous plant matter and the waste harvest sensor  320  identifies how much waste (which should have been expelled through the outlet  132 ) is instead harvested with the billets material B through the outlet  216 . These sensors  316 ,  320  may be, for example, optical sensors that provide a signal to the controller  300  that interprets the differences between billet material and the extraneous plan material to provide an estimate of the billet loss or waste harvest, respectively. 
     One or more environmental sensors  324  are located on and around the harvester  10  to determine different ambient conditions such as temperature, humidity, field conditions such as soil saturation level, plant density, geographical data, and ground angle/gradient. The environmental sensor(s)  324  provide signals to the controller  300  indicative of the volumetric throughput of the harvested material that will eventually be sent through the inlet  212  towards the billet deflector  208 . The environmental sensor(s)  324  may additionally provide some characteristics (e.g., density, weight, height) of the harvested plant that aid the sensors  316 ,  320  in distinguishing between the billet material and the extraneous plant matter. A vehicle speed sensor  328  measures the velocity of the harvester  10 . The controller  300  receives signals from the vehicle speed sensor that aid in determining a volumetric throughput of material through the harvester  10 . 
     The controller is further programmed to provide signals to the fan  108  and to the first and second adjustment mechanisms  224 ,  228  to modify operational parameters (e.g., fan speed, position of the adjustment mechanisms  224 ,  228 ) in response to the signals provided by the sensors  308 ,  312 ,  316 ,  320 ,  324 ,  328 . 
       FIG.  10    illustrates a flowchart detailing a method of separating the billet material from the extraneous plant material and specifically identifies how to automatically reposition the billet deflector  208  to maintain a desired range of billet loss and/or waste harvest. Beginning at start (step  400 ), an operator selects a range of allowable billet loss through the hood outlet  132  and/or allowable waste harvest through the outlet  216  of the cleaning system  78  (step  404 ). These ranges, also referred to as auto clean limits, may include a maximum limit and a minimum limit. In some embodiments, the auto clean limits may be manually entered by a user to the user interface  304 . In other embodiments, the auto clean limits may be estimated or based on past values and with no input from the operator or merely confirmation from an operator. In some embodiments, the auto clean limits may default to preset or most recent values unless modified by an operator. A look-up table may be provided and/or settings may be suggested based on material throughput or desired residue and cleaning levels. In some embodiments, a position sweep may determine an optimal angle and length per harvesting operation. With the auto clean limits determined, the length and angle of the billet deflector  208  are determined (step  408 ) within the limits (total range of motion in length and angle) of the billet deflector  208  (step  412 ). More specifically, the controller  300  interprets the signals from the first and second adjustment mechanism sensors  308 ,  312 , which identify the positions of the first and second adjustment mechanisms  224 ,  228 . As the first and second adjustment mechanisms  224 ,  228  drive and control movement of the billet deflector  208 , the controller  300  identifies the angle of the billet deflector  208  based on the signal from the first adjustment mechanism position sensor  308  and identifies the length of the billet deflector  208  based on the signal from the second adjustment mechanism position sensor  312 . In some embodiments, only the length or the angle (or the curvature) of the billet deflector  208  is adjustable and the controller only identifies those positions that are adjustable. 
     The controller  300  may additionally operate with feed forward control (step  416 ) as a predictive function that anticipates harvesting changes such as machine speed and crop conditions such as moisture and density. The controller  300  makes adjustments accordingly. 
     As the harvester  10  operates, the billet loss sensor  316  and waste harvest sensor  320  provide signals to the controller identifying the billet losses and the harvested leaf content, respectively. These values are compared to the selected auto clean limits. If one or both of the sensed billet loss and waste harvest fall outside of the selected range, and/or in response to the predictive functionality of the feed forward control, the controller  300  provides signals to one or both of the first and second adjustment mechanisms  224 ,  228  to modify the position (length, angle, curvature) of the billet deflector  208  (step  420 ). For example, if the billet loss is too high, the controller  300  may provide a signal to increase the displacement of the second adjustment mechanism to increase the length of the billet deflector  208 . Additionally, or alternatively, the controller  300  may provide a signal to increase the length of the first adjustment mechanism  224  to decrease the impingement angle at the billet deflector  208 . Additional adjustments, such as adjusting the speed of the fan  108  may be made to modify the billet loss/waste harvest at this time. 
     Throughout this control scheme, the harvester  10  functions to harvest sugarcane (step  420 ). The controller  300  functions to maintain the actual harvest within the auto clean limits and modifies the position of the billet deflector  208  based on the measured parameters to improve the harvest (step  428 ). With adjustments made, the controller  300  cycles back to step  408  to reidentify the position of the billet deflector  208  and the billet loss/waste harvest to determine if they have returned to the auto clean limits. 
     The flowchart detailed in  FIG.  10    may be modified to operate as a modified, alternative control scheme. Rather than querying for an angle and length of the billet deflector  208 , the controller  300  can cycle the position of the billet deflector  208  through a plurality of predetermined positions, measuring the billet loss and waste harvest at each position. In this embodiment, the controller  300  determines which position has the most desirable parameters (least billet loss and least waste harvest/extraneous plant matter sent to the mill) and defaults the billet deflector  208  to this position. The controller  300  additionally documents and records the most desirable/optimal parameters such that these parameters are available and can be recommended in future harvesting operations having similar environmental and vehicle operating conditions. A report can be generated based on the different parameters, comparing the measured loss/harvest values to the different positions of the billet deflector  208 . In some embodiments, the controller  300  can identify that the field conditions (e.g., material throughput and/or other measurable parameters) are similar to previous field conditions. In response to identifying these similarities, the controller  300  can provide a signal to the operator, recommending a specific position (e.g., length, angle) of the billet deflector  208  or otherwise automatically changing the position of the billet deflector  208  to the specific position. 
       FIG.  11    illustrates a flowchart detailing an alternative method of separating the billet material from the extraneous plant material. The method shown in  FIG.  11    may be utilized, for example, when the harvester  10  is not equipped with a billet loss sensor  316  or a waste harvest sensor  320  or alternatively if one or both of the billet loss sensor  316  and the waste harvest sensor  320  are inoperable. Beginning at start (step  500 ), an operator selects a volumetric throughput or yield of the material through the harvester  10  (step  504 ). The throughput may be dependent upon material and field conditions and the controller may therefore reference lookup tables and signals from environmental sensors  324  and the vehicle speed sensor  328 . for the field and material. The throughput may therefore be calculated/estimated based on the output of sensors. Additionally, or alternatively, the throughput may be based only on operator input to the user interface  304 . 
     The throughput is identified in addition to the angle and length of the deflector (step  508 ), similar to step  408  of the flow chart shown in  FIG.  10   . The controller  300  adjusts the angle and length of the billet deflector  208  (step  512 ) to maintain the desired throughput. The controller  300  may additionally operate with feed forward control (step  516 ) as a predictive function that anticipates harvesting changes such as machine speed and crop conditions such as moisture and density. The controller  300  makes adjustments to the angle and length of the deflector  208  accordingly. Further modifications to the position of the billet deflector  208  are based on continued monitoring of environmental conditions such as the crop conditions and the machine configuration as well as the vehicle speed (step  524 ). 
     Throughout this further control scheme, the harvester  10  functions to harvest sugarcane (step  520 ). The controller  300  functions to maintain a consistent harvest. If the throughput is based on sensors, the position of the billet deflector  208  is modified based on the changes to the throughput or other harvesting conditions identified by the sensors. Alternatively or additionally, the position of the billet deflector  208  can be modified by a new operator input (e.g., selecting a different volumetric throughput). 
     The billet deflector  208  may be further movable and controllable by the controller  300  in non-harvesting operations. For example, when changing or sharpening blades within the harvester  10 , it may be desirable to move the billet deflector  208  to a particular angle or extend/retract the billet deflector  208  to a certain length so that the billet deflector  208  provides clearance to more easily access the blades. In some embodiments, the controller  300  may automatically move the billet deflector  208  to a predefined position (length and angle) upon key-off (i.e., powering down the harvester), or based on an input to a control device within the cab of the harvester  10 . In still further embodiments, an input may be located near the blades (i.e., near a panel that is removed to access the blades, within the harvester, adjacent the blades) or near the billet deflector  208  that, when activated, returns the billet deflector  208  to the predefined position. In some embodiments, the predefined position is not fully extended (e.g., fully retracted, partially retracted). 
     Various features of the disclosure are set forth in the following claims.