An agricultural planter includes systems, methods, and apparatuses for maintaining down force pressure at row units of the planter. The row units may include an electric linear actuator connected to linkages of the row units to maintain a down force pressure for the row unit. The linkage may also be removed and replaced with a strut or like mechanism to apply a direct down force pressure to components of the row unit. One or more sensors can be included to obtain information related to the ground to automatically adjust the amount of down force provided based upon a ground characteristic in order to maintain a substantially uniform furrow depth.

A control system for controlling the down pressure applied to a soil-engaging component of an agricultural implement includes a down pressure actuator coupled to the soil-engaging component, and an energy storage device and a piston-containing cylinder are coupled to each other by a system containing pressurized fluid. A check valve is coupled between the energy storage device and the down pressure actuator to control the flow of the pressurized fluid from the energy storage device to the cylinder. A controllable relief valve and variable orifice are coupled between the down pressure actuator and the energy storage device to control the flow of the pressurized fluid from the cylinder to the energy storage device. A controller supplies control signals to the relief valve and variable orifice to control the flow of the pressurized fluid from the cylinder to the energy storage device based on the pressure of the pressurized fluid.

A control system for controlling the down pressure applied to a soil-engaging component of an agricultural implement includes a down pressure actuator coupled to the soil-engaging component, and an energy storage device and a piston-containing cylinder are coupled to each other by a system containing pressurized fluid. A check valve is coupled between the energy storage device and the down pressure actuator to control the flow of the pressurized fluid from the energy storage device to the cylinder. A controllable relief valve and variable orifice are coupled between the down pressure actuator and the energy storage device to control the flow of the pressurized fluid from the cylinder to the energy storage device. A controller supplies control signals to the relief valve and variable orifice to control the flow of the pressurized fluid from the cylinder to the energy storage device based on the pressure of the pressurized fluid.

An agricultural tillage system including a carriage frame assembly, a plurality of tillage elements coupled to the carriage frame assembly, an actuator and a residue reactive system. The actuator is moveably coupled to the tillage elements, and is directly in control of a soil contact depth of the tillage elements. The residue reactive system is in controlling communication with the at least one actuator. The residue reactive system reduces the soil contact depth of the tillage elements when the residue mass on the soil is reduced and/or the slope of the soil is above a predetermined value.

An agricultural tillage system including a carriage frame assembly, a plurality of tillage elements coupled to the carriage frame assembly, an actuator and a residue reactive system. The actuator is moveably coupled to the tillage elements, and is directly in control of a soil contact depth of the tillage elements. The residue reactive system is in controlling communication with the at least one actuator. The residue reactive system reduces the soil contact depth of the tillage elements when the residue mass on the soil is reduced and/or the slope of the soil is above a predetermined value.

Systems and methods for controlling the cross slope of an asphalt paver screed. One system includes a tractor and an implement coupled to the tractor via a left tow arm and a right tow arm. The system also includes a left slope sensor mounted to the left tow arm and a right slope sensor mounted to the right tow arm. The system further includes one or more processors configured to perform operations including receiving left slope data and right slope data, calculating a measured cross slope of a virtual transverse beam extending between the left tow arm and the right tow arm based on the left slope data and the right slope data, obtaining a target cross slope, and causing movement of one or both of the left tow arm and the right tow arm based on a comparison between the measured cross slope and the target cross slope.

Systems and methods for controlling the cross slope of an asphalt paver screed. One system includes a tractor and an implement coupled to the tractor via a left tow arm and a right tow arm. The system also includes a left slope sensor mounted to the left tow arm and a right slope sensor mounted to the right tow arm. The system further includes one or more processors configured to perform operations including receiving left slope data and right slope data, calculating a measured cross slope of a virtual transverse beam extending between the left tow arm and the right tow arm based on the left slope data and the right slope data, obtaining a target cross slope, and causing movement of one or both of the left tow arm and the right tow arm based on a comparison between the measured cross slope and the target cross slope.

In one aspect, a system for adjusting down pressure loads on a disc opener of a seeder may include a depth adjustment assembly having a gauge wheel and a gauge wheel arm coupled between the disc opener and the gauge wheel. The system may also include an actuator configured to apply a down pressure load on the disc opener. Moreover, the system may include a sensor provided in operative association with the gauge wheel or a component coupled between the gauge wheel and the gauge wheel arm. The sensor may be configured to detect a parameter indicative of the down pressure load applied on the disc opener. Additionally, a controller of the system may be configured to control an operation of the actuator based on measurement signals received from the sensor to regulate the down pressure load applied on the disc opener.

In one aspect, a system for adjusting down pressure loads on a disc opener of a seeder may include a depth adjustment assembly having a gauge wheel and a gauge wheel arm coupled between the disc opener and the gauge wheel. The system may also include an actuator configured to apply a down pressure load on the disc opener. Moreover, the system may include a sensor provided in operative association with the gauge wheel or a component coupled between the gauge wheel and the gauge wheel arm. The sensor may be configured to detect a parameter indicative of the down pressure load applied on the disc opener. Additionally, a controller of the system may be configured to control an operation of the actuator based on measurement signals received from the sensor to regulate the down pressure load applied on the disc opener.

A system for monitoring the condition of a seedbed within a field may include an implement having a plurality of ground-engaging tools supported by the frame, with the implement being configured to create or be traversed across a seedbed extending downwardly within the field from an outer seedbed surface to a seedbed floor. The system may also include an auxiliary support arm coupled to a portion of the frame at or adjacent to the aft end of the frame. In addition, the system may include a seedbed floor detection assembly coupled to the auxiliary support arm that is configured to detect variations in a profile of the seedbed floor. Moreover, the system may include a seedbed surface detection assembly coupled to the auxiliary support arm that is configured to detect variations in a profile of the outer seedbed surface.