An agricultural implement system includes a down force cylinder configured to apply a downward force to a row unit, and a depth control cylinder configured to vary a penetration depth of a ground engaging tool of the row unit. The agricultural implement system also includes a valve assembly in fluid communication with the down force cylinder and the depth control cylinder. The valve assembly is configured to automatically adjust the downward force by varying fluid pressure within the down force cylinder based on fluid pressure within the depth control cylinder.

A system for installing continuous elongated tubular material (e.g. fiber optic cable) in the ground is provided. The system utilizes an agricultural tractor, preferably having rubber tires or tracks, to draw a plow for creating a trench in the ground in which to install the tubular material. The system is equipped with one or more of a specialized plow mount, an infinitely variable speed transmission on the tractor, a “power beyond” valve on the tractor and global positioning systems on the tractor and plow to more effectively install the tubular material in the ground.

A system for installing continuous elongated tubular material (e.g. fiber optic cable) in the ground is provided. The system utilizes an agricultural tractor, preferably having rubber tires or tracks, to draw a plow for creating a trench in the ground in which to install the tubular material. The system is equipped with one or more of a specialized plow mount, an infinitely variable speed transmission on the tractor, a “power beyond” valve on the tractor and global positioning systems on the tractor and plow to more effectively install the tubular material in the ground.

An agricultural implement includes a transversely extending frame forming a first, a second, and a third frame section. A first actuator is coupled to the first frame section, a second actuator coupled to the second frame section, and a third actuator coupled to the third frame section. Sensors are coupled to each frame section to detect a height of the respective frame section relative to an underlying surface. A control unit is disposed in electrical communication with the sensors and operably controls the actuators to adjust the height of each frame section.

An agricultural implement includes a transversely extending frame forming a first, a second, and a third frame section. A first actuator is coupled to the first frame section, a second actuator coupled to the second frame section, and a third actuator coupled to the third frame section. Sensors are coupled to each frame section to detect a height of the respective frame section relative to an underlying surface. A control unit is disposed in electrical communication with the sensors and operably controls the actuators to adjust the height of each frame section.

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.

A frame control system for an agricultural implement includes a first sensor configured to be coupled to a sub-frame of the agricultural implement and directed toward a soil surface. The first sensor is configured to emit a first output signal toward the soil surface and to receive a first return signal indicative of a first height of the sub-frame above the soil surface. The frame control system also includes a first sub-frame actuator configured to be coupled to the sub-frame and to a main frame of the agricultural implement. The first sub-frame actuator is configured to control a first position of the sub-frame relative to the main frame along a vertical axis. In addition, the frame control system includes a controller configured to control the first sub-frame actuator such that a difference between the first height and a target height is less than a threshold value.

An agricultural machine includes a traveling vehicle body, a position detector to detect a position of the traveling vehicle body, a lifting device to link a working device to the traveling vehicle body, and an automatic operation controller to perform an automatic operation to cause the traveling vehicle body to travel and cause the working device to perform an agricultural job based on a travel route and the position of the traveling vehicle body. The lifting device is operable to, during the automatic operation, place the working device in a work position in which the working device performs the agricultural job, and the automatic operation controller is operable to cause the lifting device to keep the working device in the work position even after stopping the traveling vehicle body and/or the working device to end the automatic operation at a location short of an unworked area of the agricultural field.

An agricultural machine includes a traveling vehicle body, a position detector to detect a position of the traveling vehicle body, a lifting device to link a working device to the traveling vehicle body, and an automatic operation controller to perform an automatic operation to cause the traveling vehicle body to travel and cause the working device to perform an agricultural job based on a travel route and the position of the traveling vehicle body. The lifting device is operable to, during the automatic operation, place the working device in a work position in which the working device performs the agricultural job, and the automatic operation controller is operable to cause the lifting device to keep the working device in the work position even after stopping the traveling vehicle body and/or the working device to end the automatic operation at a location short of an unworked area of the agricultural field.

A gauge wheel load sensor for an agricultural planter having a row unit that includes a pivotably mounted gauge wheel and a down pressure controller for controlling the down pressure on at least a portion of the row unit. The load sensor includes a mechanical element mounted for movement in response to the downward force applied to the row unit; a fluid-containing device containing a movable element coupled to the mechanical element for changing the fluid pressure in response to the movement of the mechanical element; and a transducer coupled to the fluid-containing device for producing an output signal in response to changes in the fluid pressure. An energy storage device, such as an accumulator, may be coupled to the fluid-containing device for receiving a limited amount of fluid in response to changes in the fluid pressure to damp pressure spikes in the output signal of the transducer.