Swather Runs By Itself

Swather runs by itself SWATHERS Swathers 11-6-28 "We start it u g and let it run on its own," says Cordell Lundahl, inventor and manufacturer in Logan, Utah of sonic controls that let a swather, tractor, combine or any other equipment run unattended in the field. Lundahl's sonic sensor generates sound waves that bounce back to the sensor. It measures the time it takes for the sound to travel out and back to determine distances. Lundahl's sonic controls, which are encased in 5 1/4 in. long stainless steel tubes, have been used in hundreds of different farm and industrial applications where precise measurement of distance is required. Lundahl says they can also be used for many applications where an electric eye beam might otherwise be used. The advantage of the sonic unit is that it works even under dirty and dusty conditions. To control the "driverless" swather, Lundahl mounted a sensor on an extension arm ahead of a hay swather. The sensor is wired into the hydrostatic steering cylinder on the unit. The operator makes the first pass through the field and then sets the sensor to "read" the edge of the uncut crop, guiding the machine precisely through the crop without an operator. Lundahl says it allows the operator to follow in a second machine cutting a second swath. The operator carries a radio shut-off switch for the driverless machine. Lundahl's sonic sensors sell for between $400 and $600. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Ezra C. Lundahl, Inc., P.O. Box 268, 710 North 6th West, Logan, Utah 84321 (ph 801753-4700).

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