A penetration depth control and gauge wheel contact force monitoring system for a row unit includes a penetration depth actuator configured to drive a gauge wheel arm assembly to move a gauge wheel relative to a row unit frame to control a penetration depth of an opener of the row unit. The penetration depth actuator includes a contact force sensor configured to output a sensor signal indicative of a contact force between the gauge wheel and a soil surface, the penetration depth actuator includes a body configured to be coupled to one of the frame or the gauge wheel arm assembly, the penetration depth actuator includes an actuating device configured to be coupled to the other of the frame or the gauge wheel arm assembly, and the actuating device is configured to move relative to the body to drive the gauge wheel arm assembly to move the gauge wheel.

A penetration depth control and gauge wheel contact force monitoring system for a row unit includes a penetration depth actuator configured to drive a gauge wheel arm assembly to move a gauge wheel relative to a row unit frame to control a penetration depth of an opener of the row unit. The penetration depth actuator includes a contact force sensor configured to output a sensor signal indicative of a contact force between the gauge wheel and a soil surface, the penetration depth actuator includes a body configured to be coupled to one of the frame or the gauge wheel arm assembly, the penetration depth actuator includes an actuating device configured to be coupled to the other of the frame or the gauge wheel arm assembly, and the actuating device is configured to move relative to the body to drive the gauge wheel arm assembly to move the gauge wheel.

An implement frame having a carriage frame for coupling to a towing vehicle and wheels to support the frame for movement over a ground surface. A pivot frame is rotationally mounted to the carriage frame and a lift assembly is coupled to the pivot frame via a shift assembly. A tool bar is mounted to the lift assembly. The shift assembly moves the tool bar forward as it is moved from the field use position to the transport position. The wheels are mounted to swing arms to move the wheels inward for a narrow transport position. All motion is accomplished through actuators, such as hydraulic cylinders, to automate the process making it quick and easy.

An implement frame having a carriage frame for coupling to a towing vehicle and wheels to support the frame for movement over a ground surface. A pivot frame is rotationally mounted to the carriage frame and a lift assembly is coupled to the pivot frame via a shift assembly. A tool bar is mounted to the lift assembly. The shift assembly moves the tool bar forward as it is moved from the field use position to the transport position. The wheels are mounted to swing arms to move the wheels inward for a narrow transport position. All motion is accomplished through actuators, such as hydraulic cylinders, to automate the process making it quick and easy.

A system includes an agricultural implement, a sensor, and a control system. The agricultural implement is configured to be coupled to an agricultural vehicle. The sensor is coupled to the agricultural implement and configured to output a signal indicative of a pitch angle of the agricultural implement. The control system is configured to receive the signal indicative of the pitch angle from the sensor, determine whether the pitch angle is within a pitch angle range, generate a hitch height control signal indicative of instructions to adjust a hitch actuator if the pitch angle is not within the pitch angle range, and communicate the hitch height control signal.

A system includes an agricultural implement, a sensor, and a control system. The agricultural implement is configured to be coupled to an agricultural vehicle. The sensor is coupled to the agricultural implement and configured to output a signal indicative of a pitch angle of the agricultural implement. The control system is configured to receive the signal indicative of the pitch angle from the sensor, determine whether the pitch angle is within a pitch angle range, generate a hitch height control signal indicative of instructions to adjust a hitch actuator if the pitch angle is not within the pitch angle range, and communicate the hitch height control signal.

An agricultural implement has a hitch frame, a center frame pivotally attached rearward of the hitch frame about a hitch pivot axis. Wing frames are pivotally attached to ends of the center frame and a center actuator is pivots the center and wing frames from a rearward extending operating position to an upward extending transport position. Caster wheels are pivotally mounted on front sides of the wing frames about caster and transport axes. In the operating position, the caster axes are oriented vertically and the transport axes are oriented horizontally, and in the initial transport position, the caster axes are oriented horizontally, perpendicular to the hitch pivot, the transport axes are oriented vertically, and caster wheel actuators pivot the caster wheels 90 degrees about the transport axes to align the caster axes with the hitch pivot axis. The caster wheels support the wing frames in both operating and transport positions.

An agricultural implement has a hitch frame, a center frame pivotally attached rearward of the hitch frame about a hitch pivot axis. Wing frames are pivotally attached to ends of the center frame and a center actuator is pivots the center and wing frames from a rearward extending operating position to an upward extending transport position. Caster wheels are pivotally mounted on front sides of the wing frames about caster and transport axes. In the operating position, the caster axes are oriented vertically and the transport axes are oriented horizontally, and in the initial transport position, the caster axes are oriented horizontally, perpendicular to the hitch pivot, the transport axes are oriented vertically, and caster wheel actuators pivot the caster wheels 90 degrees about the transport axes to align the caster axes with the hitch pivot axis. The caster wheels support the wing frames in both operating and transport positions.

A flexible cultivator implement frame includes a center section and two wing sections. The center section has a main portion and two side portions supported at opposing sides of the main portion for pivotal movement relative to the main portion about respective flexing axes. The flexing axes of the center section are sloped to extend forwardly and laterally outwardly relative to the forward working direction. Each wing section has an inner portion and an outer portion pivotally coupled to the inner portion about a respective flexing axis. The flexing axes of the wing sections are sloped to extend forwardly and laterally inwardly relative to the forward working direction so as to be oriented transversely to the flexing axes of the center section of the frame such that the flexible frame follows ground contours while minimizing undesirable stresses in and twisting of various pivots and frame members.

A flexible cultivator implement frame includes a center section and two wing sections. The center section has a main portion and two side portions supported at opposing sides of the main portion for pivotal movement relative to the main portion about respective flexing axes. The flexing axes of the center section are sloped to extend forwardly and laterally outwardly relative to the forward working direction. Each wing section has an inner portion and an outer portion pivotally coupled to the inner portion about a respective flexing axis. The flexing axes of the wing sections are sloped to extend forwardly and laterally inwardly relative to the forward working direction so as to be oriented transversely to the flexing axes of the center section of the frame such that the flexible frame follows ground contours while minimizing undesirable stresses in and twisting of various pivots and frame members.