Harvest Technologies

K. R. Kirk, P. J. Loftis, J. G. Andrae, G. S. Sell. 2018. Presented at the 2018 AFGC Annual Meeting. January 14-17, 2018. Louisville, Ky. The precision agriculture technologies generally associated with row crop production can be equally beneficial to forage crops. One key aspect of precision agriculture allows the producer to assess and manage for spatial variability in his fields; simply put: different areas of each field have different needs. ...

A. C. Warner, B. B. Fogle, K. R. Kirk. 2017. Presented at the 2017 APRES Annual Meeting. July 11-13, 2017. Albuquerque, N.M. Proper peanut digger setup and operation is critical to profitability—while manufacturers provide recommendations for proper setup and ground speed, there exist few published studies assessing these recommendations. In this study experiments were conducted to compare digging losses for four ground speeds at 100% relative conveyor speed and five relative conveyor speeds at 4.8 kph ground speed; tests were conducted independently for the two diggers using virginia type peanuts....

K. R. Kirk, A. C. Warner, J. S. Thomas, B. B. Fogle, D. J. Anco, and H. F. Massey. 2017. Impact of ground speed and conveyor speed on peanut digging. ASABE Paper No. 1701600. St. Joseph, Mich.: ASABE. A study was conducted at Edisto Research & Education Center to quantify the effects of ground speed and conveyor speed on peanut digging losses using 2-row Amadas and KMC peanut diggers. The study was directed at providing producers with recommendations for peanut digger setup and operation to maximize yield recovery...

G. T. Roberson, K. R. Kirk. 2017. 2017 Peanut Notes. No. 168. Raleigh, N.C.: NC State Extension. A successful [peanut] harvest begins with proper preparation. Harvesting equipment falls into two categories: field equipment and curing equipment. Each has its own unique demands. Pre-season checks and maintenance may save you costly downtime. ...

K. R. Kirk, G. S. Sell, J. Andrae, P. J. Loftis. 2017. Presented at the 2017 AFGC Annual Meeting. January 22-24, 2017. Roanoke, Va. Yield monitors are now decades-old technology on the row crop farm, being commercially available for corn, small grains, and cotton. In fact, many of today’s grain combines are equipped with yield monitors as standard equipment. Although some work has been done in evaluation and development of yield monitoring systems for hay production, only one system for yield monitoring hay is commercially available and yield monitors are not broadly utilized in hay production. ...

A. Warner. 2016. The Clemson Extension Ag Update. November 8, 2016. Clemson, S.C.: Clemson Extension. Dr. Kendall Kirk, Clemson Extension Precision Ag Engineer, is conducting several variable depth peanut digger trials on two local farms in Hampton County. The variable depth digger is an in-house Clemson University system designed to reduce peanut digging losses across highly variable soil textures normally found in the coastal plains of South Carolina. ...

A. Warner. 2015. The Clemson Extension Ag Update. October 5, 2015. Clemson, S.C.: Clemson Extension. ...A little background, peanuts unlike most other row crops out there require a two-step process to harvest the crop. The first step requires the digging or inversion of the peanuts once they are mature and ready to dig, and the second step is the combining and harvesting of the crop so that it can be sold at a buy point. ...

K. R. Kirk, D. H. Free, J. W. White, and J. S. Peele. 2015. ASABE Paper No. 152189997. St. Joseph, Mich.: ASABE. Several studies have been conducted in development of new sensor technologies and adaptation of existing sensor platforms for use in peanut yield monitoring. The simple and inexpensive technology developed and tested in this study allows for on-combine weight measurement of every load, which can be used to post-process correct mass flow data for peanut yield monitoring. ...

A. C. Warner, K. R. Kirk, J. S. Thomas, J. W. White, H. F. Massey, B. Fogle. 2015. ASABE Paper No. 152190009. St. Joseph, Mich.: ASABE. Soil moisture plays a dynamic role in digger related yield losses. Two years of peanut yield loss data were analyzed for two different fields with sandy coastal plains soils in Blackville, SC. ...

A. C. Warner, K. R. Kirk, J. S. Thomas, J. W. White, J. S. Peele, J. D. Mueller, H. F. Massey, Y. J. Han. 2015. ASABE Paper No. 152190003. St. Joseph, Mich.: ASABE. A variable depth peanut digger was used in assessing the ability to reduce digging losses as a function of digging blade angle and feedback-based control from on- the-go remote sensing. A proper top link position prescription was determined for each of the three zones and these three extension-lock prescriptions were applied across each of the three EC zones. ...

A. C. Warner, K. R. Kirk, J. S. Thomas, J. W. White, J. S. Peele, J. D. Mueller, H. F. Massey, Y. J. Han. 2015. ASABE Paper No. 152190023. St. Joseph, Mich.: ASABE. A depth gauge was developed as an automated system to provide feedback for control of the 3-point hitch top link position on a 2-row KMC peanut digger, aimed at reducing peanut digging losses across a variety of soil textures. The goal of the depth gauge control is to maintain a prescribed digging elevation on the basis of on-the-go remote sensing, in contrast to the use of discrete top link prescriptions for EC map-based management zones to control top link position, ...

H. G. Ramsey IV, K. R. Kirk, G. S. Sell, J. Andrae, Y. J. Han, M. J. Fischer. 2015. ASABE Paper No. 152190030. St. Joseph, Mich.: ASABE. Corn, grain and cotton yield monitoring technologies have been widely implemented since their development and throughout the past twenty years. Yield monitoring has been indicated to be the second most applied precision agriculture technology, behind auto-steer. However, commercially available technologies are for yield monitoring crops other than corn, cotton, and grain have not been widely available, if available at all. ...

H. G. Ramsey IV, K. R. Kirk, G. S. Sell, J. Andrae, Y. J. Han, M. J. Fischer. 2015. ASABE Paper No. 152190035. St. Joseph, Mich.: ASABE. Yield monitoring technology is readily available for corn, soybeans, small grains, and cotton. Yield monitoring has not been widely implemented for forage and hay production. This research focuses on development and testing of a yield monitor for hay crops that remotely measures the height of the grass on-the-go during mowing. ...

A. C. Warner, K. R. Kirk, J. S. Thomas, W. S. Monfort, J. W. White, S. A. Brantley, J. S. Peele, H. F Massey, Y. J. Han, J. D. Compton. 2014. ASABE Paper No. 141914163. St. Joseph, Mich.: ASABE. A variable depth control peanut digger was developed as an automated system to control the three point hitch top link position on a 2-row KMC peanut digger, aimed at reducing peanut digging losses across a variety of soil textures. Investigation was performed to determine if top link position, and therefore the digger blade angle, can be prescribed as a function of soil electrical conductivity (EC) prescription maps, relating to soil texture, or on-the-go sensor-based feedback control. ...

A. C. Warner, K. R. Kirk, J. S. Thomas, W. S. Monfort, J. W. White, S. A. Brantley, J. S. Peele, Y. J. Han, H. F. Massey. 2014. ASABE Paper No. 141914272. St. Joseph, Mich.: ASABE. A variable depth peanut digger was developed for use in assessing the ability to reduce digging losses as a function of digging blade angle and on-board remote sensing. Soil electrical conductivity (EC) data were used to divide a field into three zones, ranging from sand to clay texture. ...

K. R. Kirk, A. C. Warner, J. S. Thomas, W. S. Monfort, J. W. White, S. A. Brantley, J. S. Peele, H. F. Massey. 2014. ASABE Paper No. 141914303. St. Joseph, Mich.: ASABE. The digging and inversion process creates the most yield loss during peanut harvest. Even if the grower produces great yield from proper care and management of this crop it can quickly be lost from the improper settings of the peanut digger. ...

D. H. Free, K. R. Kirk, J. W. White, S. A. Brantley, J. S. Peele, W. S. Monfort, J. S. Thomas, H. F. Massey, Y. J. Han. 2014. ASABE Paper No. 141914021. St. Joseph, Mich.: ASABE. A commercially available Ag Leader® impact plate grain yield monitor kit was adapted to be installed on an Amadas 2108 4-row pull type peanut combine to evaluate its accuracy in yield prediction for two different mounting configurations and to assess the benefits of providing yield prediction correction by sensing the pneumatic conveyance air pressure. ...

K. R. Kirk, H. F. Massey, W. S. Monfort, J. S. Thomas, B. M. Jordan, W. B. Schmidt. 2013. ASABE Paper No. 131620957. St. Joseph, Mich.: ASABE. Twin row peanut production was initially introduced to take advantage of production benefits noted in narrow, single row studies, while still accommodating typical machinery involved in peanut production. Studies on twin row peanut production have been conducted since at least the early 1980's and many report increased yields and reduced weed pressure when compared to single row studies. ...

J. B. Fravel, K. R. Kirk, W. S. Monfort, J. S. Thomas, W. G. Henderson, H. F. Massey, J. P. Chastain. 2013. ASABE Paper No. 131620969. St. Joseph, Mich.: ASABE. Advancements in precision agriculture technologies such as yield monitors have allowed for improved management capabilities and reduced input costs for a number of crops. Most commercialized developments in yield monitoring systems and technologies to date have been directed for use with the major grain crops such as corn, soybeans and cereal grains. This research focuses on development and testing of an impact plate yield monitor system for the peanut harvest. ...

W. M. Porter, J. Ward, K. R. Kirk, R. K. Taylor, J. B. Fravel, C. B. Godsey. 2013. ASABE Paper No. 131596295. St. Joseph, Mich.: ASABE. Previous researchers demonstrated the ability to adapt an AgLeader® Cotton Monitor to a peanut combine. It was shown that the field weight could be accurately predicted with errors less than 10%. This project focuses on expanding this previous work...

K. R. Kirk, Y. J. Han, W. M. Porter, W. S. Monfort, W. G. H., J. S. Thomas. 2012. ASABE Paper No. 121337625. St. Joseph, Mich.: ASABE. A yield monitoring system for a peanut combine was developed to record harvest data from research test plots. The system collects a batch of peanuts from each research plot into a weighing bin, weighs the batch, dumps the batch into a duct, and then pneumatically conveys the batch to the primary basket. ...

K. R. Kirk, H. G. Ramsey IV. 2019. U.S. Patent No. 10,188,025 B2. Disclosed are methods and systems for determining the amount of material contained in a windrow. In particular embodiments, the methods and systems are applicable to agricultural applications, and in particular to hay yield monitoring. Systems include a remote sensing technology to determine windrow height. Remote sensing methods can include ultrasonic sensors, optical sensors, and the like. Systems can provide real time yield data. ...

K. R. Kirk, J. W. White, J. S. Peele, W. S. Monfort, H. F. Massey, J. S. Thomas, S. A. Brantley, A. C. Warner. 2018. U.S. Patent No. 9,968,027 B2. Methods and devices for automated adjustment of a digging implement during harvest of underground crops are described. Utilizing the devices, a digging implement, e.g., a blade, can be located and maintained at a desired depth as a harvester travels across a field. During use, the digging implement depth controls can be varied as the harvester travels within a single field under different operating conditions, e.g., different soil friability, consistency, etc., thereby preventing crop loss and improving crop yield. ...

K. R. Kirk, J. W. White, W. S. Monfort, H. F. Massey, D. H. Free, S. A. Brantley, J. S. Peele, J. B. Fravel, W. G. Henderson, Jr. 2018. U.S. Patent No. 9,958,301 B2. Yield monitoring systems for harvesting machines and methods that can provide yield monitoring of crops are described. Machines include those that pneumatically convey crop through the machine such as peanut harvesting machines. The yield monitoring system includes a force sensor that can be located in conjunction with a duct of the harvesting machine such that impact of the crop materials on an impact plate within the duct will be registered by the force sensor. This registration can be used to determine a mass flow rate for the crop, which can be correlated to yield of the crop. The systems can include additional components such as optical monitors, moisture sensors, and pressure sensors. ...

K. R. Kirk, H. G. Ramsey IV, P. J. Loftis. 2017. U.S. Patent Application No. 2017/0013783 A1. Yield monitoring systems for round baling machines and methods that can provide weight estimations for round bales at the time of formation are described. Balers can include those that incorporate hydraulically actuated bale kicking or pushing assemblies as well as those that incorporate spring-loaded off ramps. Farm implements including baling machines and cotton module builders are encompassed. The system includes a sensor that can ascertain a physical parameter associated with ejection of a round bale from the farm implement. Physical parameters as may be ascertained can include pressures, velocities, accelerations, etc. associated with bale ejection. ...

D. Attaway. 2018. The Clemson Newsstand. September 28, 2018. Clemson, S.C.: Clemson University. Modern research and technology are important for today’s farmers and researchers at Clemson’s Edisto Research and Education Center are busy developing software and other scientific instruments to help South Carolina farmers produce profitable crops. The researchers shared their latest knowledge during the Edisto REC’s 2018 Fall Field Day. ...

The Clemson Newsstand. August 2, 2018. Most cotton seeds found in individual seed lots are created equally, but not every seed has an opportunity to reach its full potential. Clemson precision agriculture engineer Kendall Kirk wants to help explain why....

J. Leidner. 2018. Southeastern Peanut Farmer. July/August 2018, pp. 10-11. Tifton, Ga. Kendall Kirk, Clemson University agricultural engineer based at the Edisto Research and Education Center in Blackville, South Carolina, has conducted extensive tests on reducing peanut losses during digging, and has some advice that growers may want to consider. ...

J. Leidner. (2018). Southeastern Peanut Farmer. July/August 2018, pp 12-14. Tifton, Ga. Members of the Mississippi Peanut Growers Association heard a sobering message on the quality of the peanuts they deliver during the association's annual meeting held earlier this year. "There has been too much dirt from truckloads of peanuts coming from some areas of the state," says Malcolm Broome, ...

2018. The Peanut Grower. July 1, 2018. When to dig peanuts is one of the most important decisions growers make each year. The hull-scrape method of determining peanut maturity is an accurate way of judging when to harvest. County Extension agents routinely run crop maturity checks using the peanut profile board in the late season to determine the crop’s progress and potential days to digging. ...

S. Miller. 2017. The Clemson Newsstand. September 21, 2017. Clemson, S.C.: Clemson University. Driving too quickly can lead to significant losses when digging peanuts, according to a recent study by Clemson University agricultural engineer Kendall Kirk. Farmers often push digger speeds to save time or to outrace inclement weather, but driving too fast can reduce yield, Kirk said. ...

D. Attaway. 2017. The Clemson Newsstand. May 4, 2017. Clemson, S.C.: Clemson University. A group of Clemson agricultural mechanization and business students are building a tabletop variable depth-control peanut digger to help South Carolina producers increase their profits. The tabletop peanut digger is a Clemson University Capstone Project led by Hunter Massey, a lecturer in the Clemson agricultural sciences department and a graduate student in plant and environmental sciences. ...

C. Colmenares. 2016. The Clemson Newsstand. October 19, 2016. Clemson, S.C.: Clemson University. The Clemson University Research Foundation (CURF) has announced six recipients of fiscal year 2017 Technology Maturation Fund awards. The CURF Technology Maturation Fund provides grants to faculty to support the last critical development step needed to move their technology to the marketplace. ...

J. Leidner. 2016. Southeastern Peanut Farmer. 54(5): 12. Tifton, Ga.: Southern Peanut Farmers Federation. Potentiometers, a hydraulic top link and a depth gauge are some of the key components for an on-the-go variable depth digging system being developed by researchers at Clemson University. The Clemson team is working on the project with Amadas Industries under an agreement that would grant Amadas the rights to market the jointly developed technology. ...

S. Miller. 2016. The Clemson Newsstand. May 26, 2016. Clemson, S.C.: Clemson University. Agricultural engineers at Clemson University have developed technology to tell farmers exactly where to apply fertilizers to their hay fields and how much to use to maximize profits. “Hay is the No. 3 commercial crop in the United States, yet it is does not have a broadly implemented yield monitor,” said graduate research assistant Perry Loftis, who is working with Clemson agriculture engineer Kendall Kirk to rectify that. ...

S. Miller. 2015. The Clemson Newsstand. September 16, 2015. Clemson, S.C.: Clemson University. An automated peanut digger developed by Clemson University agricultural engineers could save growers $19 per acre or more by reducing yield losses due to inaccurate digging depths, research shows. The technology uses a depth gauge that can automate the digger’s hydraulic top link that controls blade depth. ...

B. Mullen. 2014. The Clemson Newsstand. October 2, 2014. Clemson, S.C.: Clemson University. The Clemson University Research Foundation (CURF) announced Thursday that it has awarded funding to five Clemson researchers to further develop their Clemson technologies through a newly established program, the CURF Technology Maturation Fund. “The CURF Technology Maturation Fund is unlike any other source of funding available to Clemson faculty,” said Casey Porto, executive director of CURF. “This funding supports the last critical step that will significantly increase the likelihood of commercialization of Clemson intellectual property.” ...

M. Miller. 2014. The Times and Democrat. September 14, 2014. Orangeburg, S.C.: The Times and Democrat. The desire to keep current with research to improve production and overall profits drew peanut growers to the Edisto Research and Education Center on Sept. 4. Industry and research personnel shared their knowledge with the crowd of more than 150, which consisted of farmers from across South Carolina and beyond. ...

K. R. Kirk, J. S. Thomas, B. B. Fogle, H. F. Massey, and D. J. Anco. 2018. Presented at the 13th Annual Mississippi Peanut Growers Association Meeting. February 1, 2018. Hattiesburg, Miss. ...

K. R. Kirk, J. S. Thomas, B. B. Fogle, H. F. Massey, and D. J. Anco. 2018. Presented at the 2018 South Carolina Peanut Growers' Meeting. January 25, 2018. Santee, S.C. ...

K. R. Kirk, J. S. Thomas, A. C. Warner, H. F. Massey. 2017. Presented at the 2017 S.C. Peanut Growers' Meeting. January 26, 2017. Santee, S.C. ...

K. R. Kirk, B. B. Fogle, A. C. Warner, J. W. White, J. S. Peele. (2016). Presented at the 2016 ASABE Annual International Meeting. July 17-20, 2016. Orlando, FL. ...

H. G. Ramsey IV, P. J. Loftis, K. R. Kirk, G. S. Sell, J. G. Andrae, Y. J. Han. 2016. Presented at the 2016 ASABE Annual International Meeting. July 17-20, 2016. Orlando, Fla. ...

P. J. Loftis, K. R. Kirk, G. S. Sell, J. Andrae. (2016). Presented at the 2016 Piedmont REC Field Day. August 20, 2016. Pendleton, SC. ...

K. R. Kirk, B. B. Fogle, B. E. Teddy, H. F. Massey. 2016. Presented at the 2016 ASABE International Meeting. July 17-20, 2016. Orlando, FL. ...

K. R. Kirk, B. B. Fogle, J. W. White, J. S. Peele, J. S. Thomas, A. C. Warner, H. F. Massey, D. H. Free. 2016. Presented at the 2016 SC Peanut Growers' Meeting. January 28, 2016. Santee, SC. ...

D. H. Free and K. R. Kirk. 2015. Presented at the 2015 ASABE Annual International Meeting. July 26-29, 2015. New Orleans, La. ...

P. J. Loftis. 2017. MS thesis. Clemson, SC: Clemson University, Plant and Environmental Sciences. [Graduate Committee: K. R. Kirk, J. Andrae, J. D. Mueller]. Mass flow sensor algorithms were developed for a hay yield monitoring system using ultrasonic sensors to measure windrow height. The developed mass flow algorithms were used in a nitrogen rate strip test on a 25 ac irrigated Tifton 85 bermudagrass field. A second method of measuring hay yield was also developed and tested utilizing sensors mounted to spring-loaded bale ramps on round balers. ...

H. G. Ramsey IV. 2015. MS thesis. Clemson, SC: Clemson University, Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. [Graduate Committee: K. R. Kirk, J. Andrae, Y. J. Han]. Three independent technologies related to hay yield monitoring were developed and studied. One technology involved comparison of infrared and ultrasonic sensors on a self-propelled forage harvester. The same model sensors that were used on the self-propelled forage harvester were installed on a boom that was mounted to the tongue of a round hay baler to measure windrow height, which was then used to estimate mass flow rate and therefore crop yield. In the third technology presented, a pressure transducer was installed on the hydraulic bale kicker circuit on two different round balers. ...

A. C. Warner. 2015. MS thesis. Clemson, SC: Clemson University, Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. [Graduate Committee: K. R. Kirk, Y. J. Han, J. D. Mueller] The variable depth peanut digger proved in year one that top link position and therefore digging angle is critical in each soil texture within a field. The conventional grower method of digger setup, of setting the top link for the high EC zone and digging the entire field, was proven to introduce higher mechanical yield losses than the optimum top link setting when crossing lower EC soil textures. ...

J. Fravel. 2013. MS thesis. Clemson, SC: Clemson University, Plant and Environmental Science. [Graduate Committee: K. R. Kirk, J. P. Chastain, H. F. Massey]. Advancements in precision agriculture technologies such as yield monitors have allowed for improved management capabilities and reduced input costs for a number of crops. Most commercialized developments in yield monitoring systems and technologies to date have been directed for use with the major grain crops such as corn, soybeans and cereal grains. This research focuses on development and testing of an impact plate yield monitor system for the peanut harvest. ...