Air seeders that have force actuators acting on the firming implement and/or the closing wheel to adjust the downforce. In one example, the seeding implement includes a support arm having first and second portions. A finning implement support arm is pivotally connected to the support arm second portion at a first pivot at a first end of the finning implement support arm. A firming implement force actuator is pivotally connected to the support arm second portion at a first end of the firming implement force actuator and connected to the firming implement support arm at the second end of the firming implement force actuator.

A planting system having a plurality of row units, each row unit having: (a) at least one opening disc configured to open a seed trench; (b) a soil engaging member configured to engage a sidewall of the trench during planting; and (c) at least one strain gauge in operative communication with the soil engaging member, wherein the at least one strain gauge measures force on the soil engaging member during planting operations.

A row planting unit closing system including a first stage closing unit adapted to be attached to a row planting unit and including: a first stage frame; and a set of at least one row closing wheel having a closing angle orientation non-perpendicular relative to the ground; and wherein the first stage frame is attached at a first end to the row planting unit, the first stage frame comprising a linkage mechanism for setting a toe in angle orientation of the set of at least one row closing wheel relative to the first stage frame.

Described herein are air seeders that have force actuators acting on at least one of the firming implement and closing wheel to adjust for a specified downforce on at least one of the firming implement and the closing wheel. In one example, a seeding implement includes a support arm having a support arm first portion and a support arm second portion. A firming implement support arm is pivotally connected to the support arm second portion at a first pivot at a first end of the firming implement support arm. A firming implement force actuator is pivotally connected to the support arm second portion at a first end of the firming implement force actuator and connected to the firming implement support arm at the second end of the firming implement force actuator.

A soil apparatus (e.g., seed firmer) having a base portion for engaging in soil of an agricultural field, and the base portion is adapted for connection to an agricultural implement; a window in the base portion; a wear resistant insert disposed in or on the base portion in one or more locations selected from the group consisting of i) ahead of the window in a direction of travel of the soil apparatus through soil and disposed on the base portion, ii) ahead of the window in a direction of travel of the soil apparatus through soil and disposed in the base portion, wherein the base portion has a ground engaging portion, the ground engaging portion has a greater wear resistance than the base portion, iii) above the window, and iv) below the window.

A control system for multiple row units of an agricultural implement includes a controller configured to selectively enable automatic downforce control for at least one controllable ground-engaging tool of each row unit that is within a work zone of an agricultural field. The automatic downforce control for the at least one controllable ground-engaging tool includes controlling a downforce of the at least one controllable ground-engaging tool such that the downforce is within a threshold range of a respective target downforce. In addition, the controller is configured to selectively disable the automatic downforce control for the at least one controllable ground-engaging tool of each row unit that is within a no-work zone of the agricultural field, or selectively adjust the respective target downforce for the at least one controllable ground-engaging tool of each row unit that is within the no-work zone of the agricultural field.

The present invention relates to an agricultural sowing machine having a machine frame and a plurality of drill units moveably arranged next to one another on the machine frame and seed separating devices, wherein the drill units comprise at least furrow opener, a conveying line for conveying the seeds from the seed separating device to a placement zone with a dispensing opening arranged near the ground and a pressure element, the at least one furrow opener, the dispensing opening and the pressure element being arranged in this operating sequence relative to one another in the drill unit and the seed separating device, without a mechanically rigid connection to a component of a drill unit, is moveably connected to the machine frame.

In one aspect, a system for monitoring the performance of ground engaging components of an agricultural implement may include a ground engaging component configured to rotate relative to soil within a field as the agricultural implement is moved across the field. The system may also include a sensor configured to detect a parameter indicative of a rotational speed of the ground engaging component. Furthermore, the system may include a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor. The controller may be configured to monitor the rotational speed of the ground engaging component based on measurement signals received from the sensor and compare the monitored rotational speed to a baseline rotational speed value. Additionally, the controller may be configured to initiate a control action when it is determined that the monitored rotational speed has crossed the baseline rotational speed value a threshold number of times during a given time interval.

A row unit of a seeder includes a frame configured to be coupled to a toolbar of the seeder. The row unit also includes a single opener pivotally or rotatably coupled to the frame. The row unit further includes a row cleaner assembly that has a row cleaner arm pivotally coupled to the frame or to the single opener and a row cleaner blade rotatably coupled to the row cleaner arm. The row cleaner arm positions a respective rotational axis of the row cleaner blade forward of the single opener relative to a direction of travel of the row unit. A row cleaner actuator is coupled to the row cleaner arm, and the row cleaner actuator is configured to control a first downforce applied by the row cleaner blade to soil.

A planting system including a plurality of seeding row assemblies, each having components maintained at a controlled elevation. The seeding row assembly includes a tillage row unit controlled to maintain a desired elevation relative to a seeding row unit, the seeding row unit being configured to passively follow the local terrain. Each seeding row assembly can include two position sensors that generate signals corresponding to the elevation of the seeding row unit and the ground engagement attachment, respectively, or a differential positon sensor that generates signals corresponding to the difference in the elevations. Various embodiments include a local closed loop controller that adjusts elevation of the tillage row unit relative to the seeding row unit to a desired set point. In some embodiments, the down force of the seeding row unit is actively controlled.