Apparatus and a method for automatically recognizing a header connected to
a harvesting machine and setting operating and/or adjustment parameters
of a spreader of the machine for use with the header. The apparatus
includes a memory containing information representative of predetermined
spreader settings for at least one header connectable to the harvesting
machine, such as a grain header and a corn or maize header. A detector
element is operable for automatically identifying a header connected to
the machine and outputting a signal or information representative
thereof, to a controller automatically operable for using that
information for retrieving the stored information representative of the
predetermined spreader settings for that header. Input commands and/or
information, for instance, relating to crop type, and/or crop and
environmental conditions, can also be inputted using either an onboard or
remote input device. The controller then responsively controls a crop
residue spreader connected to the machine as a function of the retrieved
information and any inputted commands or information, if within
predetermined permissible ranges.