A01B63/22

MULTI-SENSOR TOOL HEIGHT CONTROL FOR GROUND ENGAGING TOOLS
20210227742 · 2021-07-29 ·

A mobile machine includes a frame, and a set of wheels supporting the frame. The mobile machine also includes a set of ground-engaging tools mounted to the frame that are movable relative to the wheels to change a depth of engagement of the ground engaging-tools with ground over which the mobile machine travels. A first sensor senses a position of the frame relative to the ground surface over which the mobile machine is traveling. A second sensor senses a position of the frame relative to the wheels. The sensor signals from both sensors are used to control the frame height.

SOIL MONITORING SYSTEM FOR AN AGRICULTURAL TILLAGE IMPLEMENT
20210298221 · 2021-09-30 ·

A soil monitoring system for an agricultural tillage implement includes a sensor configured to be coupled to a frame of the agricultural tillage implement. The sensor is configured to be directed toward a region of a soil surface. In addition, the sensor is configured to emit an output signal toward the region of the soil surface and to receive a return signal indicative of a profile of the soil surface within the region. Furthermore, the soil monitoring system includes a controller configured to identify a rough soil profile in response to determining that at least one variation in the profile of the soil surface within the region is greater than a first threshold value, and/or in response to determining that a number of variations in the profile of the soil surface within the region is greater than a second threshold value.

CONTROL SYSTEM FOR AN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT
20210298216 · 2021-09-30 ·

An orientation control system for an agricultural implement includes a first sensor configured to emit a first output signal toward a soil surface and to receive a first return signal indicative of a first height of a first portion of a frame. The orientation control system also includes a second sensor configured to emit a second output signal toward the soil surface and to receive a second return signal indicative of a second height of a second portion of the frame. In addition, the orientation control system includes a first actuator, a second actuator, and a controller configured to control the first and second actuators such that a difference between the first height and a first target height is less than a first threshold value and a difference between the second height and a second target height is less than a second threshold value.

CONTROL SYSTEM FOR AN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT
20210298216 · 2021-09-30 ·

An orientation control system for an agricultural implement includes a first sensor configured to emit a first output signal toward a soil surface and to receive a first return signal indicative of a first height of a first portion of a frame. The orientation control system also includes a second sensor configured to emit a second output signal toward the soil surface and to receive a second return signal indicative of a second height of a second portion of the frame. In addition, the orientation control system includes a first actuator, a second actuator, and a controller configured to control the first and second actuators such that a difference between the first height and a first target height is less than a first threshold value and a difference between the second height and a second target height is less than a second threshold value.

GROUND ENGAGING TOOL MONITORING SYSTEM
20210298222 · 2021-09-30 · ·

An agricultural implement includes a frame and a ground engaging tool assembly having a shank rotatably coupled to the frame and a ground engaging tool coupled to the shank. In addition, the agricultural implement includes a monitoring system having a sensor mounted to one of the frame or the ground engaging tool assembly and directed toward a target. The target is the other of the frame or the ground engaging tool assembly, and the sensor is configured to emit an output signal toward the target and to receive a return signal indicative of a measured position of the ground engaging tool assembly relative to the frame. The monitoring system also includes a controller configured to determine that the ground engaging tool assembly is in a deflected position in response to determining that a difference between the measured position and a working position is greater than a threshold value.

ORIENTATION CONTROL SYSTEM FOR AN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT
20210298215 · 2021-09-30 · ·

An orientation control system for an agricultural implement includes a first sensor configured to be positioned at a forward end portion of a frame of the agricultural implement. The first sensor is configured to emit a first output signal toward a soil surface and to receive a first return signal indicative of a first height of the frame. The orientation control system also includes a second sensor configured to be positioned at a rearward end portion of the frame. The second sensor is configured to emit a second output signal toward the soil surface and to receive a second return signal indicative of a second height of the frame. In addition, the orientation control system includes a controller configured to control a first actuator and a second actuator such that a difference between the first height and the second height is less than a threshold value.

ORIENTATION CONTROL SYSTEM FOR AN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT
20210298215 · 2021-09-30 · ·

An orientation control system for an agricultural implement includes a first sensor configured to be positioned at a forward end portion of a frame of the agricultural implement. The first sensor is configured to emit a first output signal toward a soil surface and to receive a first return signal indicative of a first height of the frame. The orientation control system also includes a second sensor configured to be positioned at a rearward end portion of the frame. The second sensor is configured to emit a second output signal toward the soil surface and to receive a second return signal indicative of a second height of the frame. In addition, the orientation control system includes a controller configured to control a first actuator and a second actuator such that a difference between the first height and the second height is less than a threshold value.

ORIENTATION CONTROL SYSTEM FOR AN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT
20210298218 · 2021-09-30 · ·

An orientation control system for an agricultural implement includes a first sensor configured to be positioned at a left end portion of a frame. The first sensor is configured to emit a first output signal toward a soil surface and to receive a first return signal indicative of a first height of the left end portion. The orientation control system also includes a second sensor configured to be positioned at a right end portion of the frame. The second sensor is configured to emit a second output signal toward the soil surface and to receive a second return signal indicative of a second height of the right end portion. In addition, the orientation control system includes a controller configured to control first, second, and third actuators such that a difference between the first height and the second height is less than a threshold value.

ORIENTATION CONTROL SYSTEM FOR AN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT
20210298218 · 2021-09-30 · ·

An orientation control system for an agricultural implement includes a first sensor configured to be positioned at a left end portion of a frame. The first sensor is configured to emit a first output signal toward a soil surface and to receive a first return signal indicative of a first height of the left end portion. The orientation control system also includes a second sensor configured to be positioned at a right end portion of the frame. The second sensor is configured to emit a second output signal toward the soil surface and to receive a second return signal indicative of a second height of the right end portion. In addition, the orientation control system includes a controller configured to control first, second, and third actuators such that a difference between the first height and the second height is less than a threshold value.

In-crop weed clipping implement

An implement for clipping weeds in a field, where the weeds are standing taller than the crop. The implement comprises a plurality of rotatable blades on a frame, with variable height adjustment means to elevate the frame and position the blades above the crop but at a level sufficient to clip the upper portions of the weeds, The blades are powered by PTO-driven shaft segments, the segments connected by U-joints, wherein the implement further comprises alignment means for aligning the U-joints so that the frame can be folded for transport without damaging the shafts or U-joints.