A method and system for determining working heights independent of the type of coupling of a plurality of agricultural attachments using a sensor assembly is disclosed. The sensor assembly includes at least one sensor for recording measured data and a control assembly. The attachments may be coupled to an agricultural production machine by an equipment interface using different types of coupling. The attachments are temporarily coupled to the agricultural production machine using the different types of coupling. The control assembly determines the working heights independent of the type of coupling of the differently coupled attachments when in a coupled state by using the same sensor. The control assembly displays the working heights determined independent of the type of coupling by means of the agricultural production machine, and/or uses them to control and/or regulate the agricultural production machine.

An agricultural row unit for use with a towing frame hitched to a tractor includes an attachment frame adapted to be rigidly connected to the towing frame, a linkage pivotably coupled to the attachment frame, and a row unit frame having a leading end pivotably coupled to the linkage to permit vertical pivoting movement of the row unit frame relative to the attachment frame. A hydraulic cylinder coupled to the attachment frame and the linkage, for urging the row unit frame downwardly toward the soil, includes a movable ram extending into the cylinder, and a hydraulic-fluid cavity within the cylinder for receiving pressurized hydraulic fluid for advancing the ram in a direction that pivots the linkage and the row unit frame downwardly toward the soil. An accumulator positioned adjacent to the hydraulic cylinder has a fluid chamber containing a diaphragm, with the portion of the chamber on one side of the diaphragm being connected to the hydraulic-fluid cavity in the hydraulic cylinder, and the portion of the chamber on the other side of the diaphragm containing a pressurized gas.

A walk-behind tractor has an increased ground clearance to define a plant receiving space that has a greater height than a conventional walk-behind tractor having a straight axle. The walk-behind tractor has trailing drop arms from a frame that carry wheel axles that result in an elevated height of a driveshaft. The elevated driveshaft increases the ground clearance for taller plants to pass therebeneath during operation of the walk-behind tractor which would otherwise be too tall to pass below a conventional straight axle walk-behind tractor.

An apparatus for efficient targeting or removal of weeds or other plants. The apparatus may include a vehicle having a frame, a motor and a plurality of ground engaging members adapted to propel the vehicle over a surface. It may also include a robotic arm comprising a distal portion and a proximal portion coupled to the frame, and an implement, such as a tool or hoe connected to the distal portion of the robotic arm. The implement can be raised and lowered, and also moved relative to the surface by the robotic arm by pivoting or rotating the robotic arm at or near the proximal portion.

An agricultural implement includes at least one row unit having a plurality of support members, each of which is pivotably coupled to an attachment frame or another of the support members to permit vertical pivoting vertical movement of the support members, and a plurality of soil-engaging tools, each of which is coupled to at least one of the support members. A plurality of hydraulic cylinders are coupled to the support members for urging the support members downwardly toward the soil. A plurality of controllable pressure control valves are coupled to the hydraulic cylinders for controlling the pressure of hydraulic fluid supplied to the cylinders. A plurality of sensors produce electrical signals corresponding to predetermined conditions, and a controller is coupled to the sensor and the controllable pressure control valves. The controller receives the electrical signals from the sensors and produces control signals for controlling the pressure control valves.

An agricultural row unit for use with a towing frame hitched to a tractor includes an attachment frame adapted to be rigidly connected to the towing frame, a linkage pivotably coupled to the attachment frame, and a row unit frame having a leading end pivotably coupled to the linkage to permit vertical pivoting movement of the row unit frame relative to the attachment frame. A hydraulic cylinder coupled to the attachment frame and the linkage, for urging the row unit frame downwardly toward the soil, includes a movable ram extending into the cylinder, and a hydraulic-fluid cavity within the cylinder for receiving pressurized hydraulic fluid for advancing the ram in a direction that pivots the linkage and the row unit frame downwardly toward the soil. An accumulator positioned adjacent to the hydraulic cylinder has a fluid chamber containing a diaphragm, with the portion of the chamber on one side of the diaphragm being connected to the hydraulic-fluid cavity in the hydraulic cylinder, and the portion of the chamber on the other side of the diaphragm containing a pressurized gas.

A system for monitoring the operational status of ground-engaging tools of an agricultural implement. The system includes a frame and an assembly including an attachment structure configured to be coupled to the frame and a ground-engaging tool pivotably coupled to the attachment structure at a pivot point. The system further includes a shear pin at least partially extending through both the attachment structure and ground-engaging tool to prevent pivoting of the ground-engaging tool about the pivot point. Additionally, the system includes a sensor configured to detect a load applied through a pivot member extending through at least one of the frame or assembly at any pivot point between the frame and the ground engaging tool. The system further includes a controller, communicatively coupled to the sensor, configured to determine a change in the working condition of the shear pin based on the detected load applied through the pivot member.

A cultivator includes at least one cultivator row unit, each of the at least one cultivator row unit having a support assembly for securing the cultivator row unit to a tool bar, a shank, an earth working tool operatively connected to the shank, and at least one assembly for providing discrete incremental adjustment for at least one of (a) an angle of the earth working tool, (b) a depth of the earth working tool, and (c) a gauge wheel depth.

An adjustable frame assembly of a planter includes a main frame, a first frame member movably coupled to the main frame, and a drive mechanism operably coupled between the main frame and the first frame member for moving the first frame member along the first axis relative to the main frame. The first frame member is laterally movable along a first axis which is perpendicular to a direction of travel of the planter. The frame assembly also includes a first arm having a first end and a second end, the first end being coupled to the main frame and the second end being coupled to a first row unit. A second arm is provided having a first end and a second end, where the first end is coupled to the first frame member and the second end is coupled to the first row unit.

A header is supported by a pair of hydraulic float cylinders, where a float pressure to the cylinders is directly controlled by an electronic control supplying a variable control signal to a PPRR valve arrangement to maintain the float pressure at a predetermined value. At the set pressure a predetermined lifting force is provided to the header. A position sensor is used to generate an indication of movement and/or acceleration and/or velocity. The electronic control is arranged, in response to changes in the sensor signal, to temporarily change the control signal to vary the lifting force and thus change the dynamic response of the hydraulic float cylinder. A lift force greater than that required to lift the header can be provided by a lift cylinder and can be opposed in a controlled manner to apply a controlled downforce by the back of the same cylinder or by a separate component.