An agricultural implement system includes a down force cylinder configured to apply a downward force to a row unit, and a depth control cylinder configured to vary a penetration depth of a ground engaging tool of the row unit. The agricultural implement system also includes a valve assembly in fluid communication with the down force cylinder and the depth control cylinder. The valve assembly is configured to automatically adjust the downward force by varying fluid pressure within the down force cylinder based on fluid pressure within the depth control cylinder.

Work machines, fertilizer opener assemblies for work machines, and methods of operating work machines are disclosed herein. A work machine includes a chassis, a frame, and a fertilizer opener assembly. The frame is coupled to the chassis for movement relative thereto. The fertilizer opener assembly is coupled to the frame to selectively form trenches in the soil for the deposition of fertilizer. The fertilizer opener assembly includes an actuator that is extendable and retractable to vary a length of the actuator and a cutting implement coupled to the actuator. Operation of the actuator drives movement of the cutting implement between a cutting position, in which the cutting implement makes contact with the soil to form trenches therein, and a transport position, in which the cutting implement is raised above the soil.

An agricultural machine includes a main frame, an adjustable frame coupled to the main frame and, a row unit which includes a linking arm coupled to the adjustable frame, and an actuator coupled to the main frame and the adjustable frame. The agricultural machine also includes a controller configured to command the actuator to output various downforces to the row units based on signals received from one or more sensors. The one or more sensors are configured to measure one more indicators associated with an actual height of the row unit relative to ground.

An agricultural toolbar has a center section and opposite wings which are horizontally foldable between transport and field positions. The toolbar has a hydraulic system which is very adaptable to many different hydraulically controlled features and options, without sacrificing the primary purpose of the system, which is accurately controlling the operating height of the toolbar, to achieve optimal planting depth of modern precision seed and fertilizer application systems.

An agricultural planting implement includes a first wing toolbar configured to support a first set of row units and a second wing toolbar configured to support a second set of row units. The agricultural planting implement also includes a connection assembly having at least one arm pivotally coupling the second wing toolbar to the first wing toolbar. The at least one arm is pivotally coupled to the first wing toolbar and non-pivotally coupled to the second wing toolbar. In addition, the connection assembly includes an actuator configured to drive the second wing toolbar to rotate upwardly relative to the first wing toolbar from a working position to a transport position. The actuator is also configured to urge the second wing toolbar downwardly toward a soil surface while the second wing toolbar is in the working position.

Speed control of machines and associated implements during transitions of agricultural parameters is described herein. In one embodiment, a processing system comprises processing logic to execute instructions for processing agricultural data and performing speed control of a machine and associated implement during a transition period for adjusting a setting of an agricultural parameter. A communication unit is coupled to the processing logic. The communication unit to transmit and receive data from the implement. The processing logic is configured to execute instructions to adjust the setting of the agricultural parameter and to determine a desired speed control during the transition period based on at least one of a desired transition distance and productivity during the transition period.

A soil apparatus is drawn through a furrow and reflectance from the furrow is obtained from the soil apparatus, and a height off target is measured between the soil apparatus and the furrow.

Agricultural machines and implements have a need to adapt to changing environments. A closing system for an agricultural machine has a need to adapt to changing ground surface. The closing system includes a closing device pivotably connected to the agricultural machine, a passive mechanical element that is operable to apply an initial amount force to the closing device, and an actuator that is operable to apply an actuator force to the passive mechanical element to increase the amount of force that the passive mechanical element applies to the closing device. The actuator can be a linear actuator having an adjustable stroke length to vary the amount of actuator force applied to the passive mechanical element. The passive mechanical element is operable to absorb a shock force as the closing device traverses a ground surface. The passive mechanical element includes one or more springs adjacent the actuator.

A trench detection system for an agricultural implement includes a row unit configured to form a trench in soil, to deposit an agricultural product in the trench, and to at least partially close the trench after deposition of the agricultural product. The trench detection system also includes a tactile probe assembly behind the row unit that, in operation, contacts the soil after closure of the trench and generates a signal indicative of a quality of the closure.

Disclosed are devices, systems and methods related to agricultural planters. In some implementations, the row unit includes a soil engaging member, where the soil engaging member engages at least one sidewall of a trench and displaces soil from the sidewall to cover the seed. In further implementations, the row unit includes a sensing system for sensing sidewall compaction and/or soil moisture.