A01B63/32

Down-pressure control for agricultural trench closing systems

An agricultural row unit includes a soil-engaging tool supported from a pivot arm. A sensor generates an output signal relating to an orientation of the pivot arm relative to a frame member. An actuator is configured to applying a down pressure on the soil-engaging tool. A control system in signal communication with the sensor is responsive to the generated output signal to effect a change in applied down pressure on the soil-engaging tool by the actuator. The soil-engaging tool may be a closing wheel or a flap. One or more additional sensors may be provided on gauge wheel arms of the row unit with the control system being responsive to output signals of the additional sensors to effect the change in applied down pressure on the soil-engaging tool by the actuator.

Down-pressure control for agricultural trench closing systems

An agricultural row unit includes a soil-engaging tool supported from a pivot arm. A sensor generates an output signal relating to an orientation of the pivot arm relative to a frame member. An actuator is configured to applying a down pressure on the soil-engaging tool. A control system in signal communication with the sensor is responsive to the generated output signal to effect a change in applied down pressure on the soil-engaging tool by the actuator. The soil-engaging tool may be a closing wheel or a flap. One or more additional sensors may be provided on gauge wheel arms of the row unit with the control system being responsive to output signals of the additional sensors to effect the change in applied down pressure on the soil-engaging tool by the actuator.

Method to prevent drift of an agricultural implement
11503755 · 2022-11-22 · ·

A method to prevent drift in an agricultural implement. Drift is when one side of an agricultural implement is further behind or further ahead of the other side of the agricultural implement in a direction of travel. Drift can be controlled by increasing a downforce on the side that is further ahead, decreasing force on the side that is further behind, or a combination of both. The force can be a moment of force.

Method to prevent drift of an agricultural implement
11503755 · 2022-11-22 · ·

A method to prevent drift in an agricultural implement. Drift is when one side of an agricultural implement is further behind or further ahead of the other side of the agricultural implement in a direction of travel. Drift can be controlled by increasing a downforce on the side that is further ahead, decreasing force on the side that is further behind, or a combination of both. The force can be a moment of force.

AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS HAVING ROW UNITS WITH ROTATING SUPPORTS

An agricultural implement includes a frame carrying a toolbar, and row units coupled to the toolbar. Each row unit includes a tool support and a rotating support coupled to the tool support and configured to rotate about an axis of rotation. Ground-engaging tools are carried by the rotating support and extending outward from the axis of rotation. Rotation of the rotating support about the axis of rotation moves the ground-engaging tools around the rotating support to change which of the ground-engaging tools interacts with the ground. A method of adjusting the agricultural implement includes disengaging the row units from a ground surface, rotating at least one rotating support about a corresponding axis of rotation to move the ground-engaging tools around the rotating support, and re-engaging the row units with the ground surface.

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ADJUSTING ACTUATOR PRESSURE ON AN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT USING A VALVE

A system for adjusting actuator pressure on an agricultural implement includes a fluid-driven actuator configured to adjust a position of a tool of the implement relative to the implement frame, with the fluid-driven actuator defining a fluid chamber. Furthermore, the system includes a valve configured to control a flow of a fluid to the fluid-driven actuator. In addition, the system includes a fluid conduit fluidly coupled between the valve and the fluid chamber. Moreover, the system includes a computing system is configured to determine the current position of the tool relative to the implement frame based on the data captured by a position sensor. Additionally, the computing system is configured to determine a current volume of the fluid chamber and the fluid conduit based on the determined current position. Furthermore, the computing system is configured to control the operation of the valve based on the determined current volume.

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ADJUSTING ACTUATOR PRESSURE ON AN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT USING A VALVE

A system for adjusting actuator pressure on an agricultural implement includes a fluid-driven actuator configured to adjust a position of a tool of the implement relative to the implement frame, with the fluid-driven actuator defining a fluid chamber. Furthermore, the system includes a valve configured to control a flow of a fluid to the fluid-driven actuator. In addition, the system includes a fluid conduit fluidly coupled between the valve and the fluid chamber. Moreover, the system includes a computing system is configured to determine the current position of the tool relative to the implement frame based on the data captured by a position sensor. Additionally, the computing system is configured to determine a current volume of the fluid chamber and the fluid conduit based on the determined current position. Furthermore, the computing system is configured to control the operation of the valve based on the determined current volume.

Winged Agricultural Implement with Steerable Transport Wheels
20220361393 · 2022-11-17 ·

A towable agricultural implement, having a center frame and two wing frames pivotally coupled on the center frame to move between a field frame position extending laterally outward and a range of transport positions extending generally rearward, further includes a transport wheel on each wing frame that is pivotal about an upright steering axis through a range of wheel positions including a neutral transport wheel position for rolling forwardly. Each transport wheel is pivotal from the neutral transport wheel position in either one of two opposing steering directions under control of a steering actuator through an overall range of greater than 90 degrees. The wheels can be steered in a common direction during transport. A control system can also attempt to maintain a constant angle between the center section and the wings to allow reversing while in transport mode.

Winged Agricultural Implement with Steerable Transport Wheels
20220361393 · 2022-11-17 ·

A towable agricultural implement, having a center frame and two wing frames pivotally coupled on the center frame to move between a field frame position extending laterally outward and a range of transport positions extending generally rearward, further includes a transport wheel on each wing frame that is pivotal about an upright steering axis through a range of wheel positions including a neutral transport wheel position for rolling forwardly. Each transport wheel is pivotal from the neutral transport wheel position in either one of two opposing steering directions under control of a steering actuator through an overall range of greater than 90 degrees. The wheels can be steered in a common direction during transport. A control system can also attempt to maintain a constant angle between the center section and the wings to allow reversing while in transport mode.

Method of controlling agricultural implement and system for measuring soil properties

An agricultural implement has implement settings for soil engaging tools that are controlled based on measured temporal and long-term soil properties in a field. A controller receives data from various soil and optical sensors and provides decision support for adjusting the implement settings. The soil sensors include a square or modified square electrical array that includes two independent, isolated disk coulters running side-by-side followed by two independent, isolated soil engaging runners. One runner has an optical sensor for organic matter, and the other runner has a temperature and moisture sensor. Above-ground optical sensors can be used to measure soil and plant material ahead of and behind the soil engaging tool. The controller can provide real time alerts to an operator that adjustments to the implement settings are needed, or the adjustments can be made automatically based on operator set thresholds, factory settings, or historical individual or global grower adjustments.