A method and system for estimating surface roughness of a ground for an off-road vehicle to control steering of a vehicle, an implement, or both, comprises detecting motion data of an off-road vehicle traversing a field or work site during a sampling interval. A first sensor is adapted to detect pitch data of the off-road vehicle for the sampling interval to obtain a pitch acceleration. A second sensor is adapted to detect roll data of the off-road vehicle for the sampling interval to obtain a roll acceleration. An electronic data processor or surface roughness index module determines or estimates a surface roughness index based on the detected motion data, pitch data and roll data for the sampling interval. The surface roughness index can be displayed on the graphical display to a user or operator of the vehicle.

An agricultural implement includes a sensor configured to emit output signals for reflection off of a surface and detect reflections of the output signals as return signals. Furthermore, the agricultural implement includes a computing system configured to control the sensor such that the sensor emits the output signals for reflection off of a calibration device including a base portion and a plurality of projections extending outward from the base portion such that a top surface of the calibration device approximates a surface profile of the field. Moreover, the computing system is configured to receive data indicative of a profile of the top surface of the calibration device from the sensor in a spatial domain. Additionally, the computing system is configured to convert the received data to a frequency domain using a spectral analysis technique and calibrate an operation of the sensor based on the converted data.

An agricultural implement includes a sensor supported on the frame. The sensor, in turn, is configured to emit output signals for refection off of a field surface of a field and detect reflections of the output signals as return signals. Moreover, the agricultural implement includes a computing system communicatively coupled to the sensor. In this respect, the computing system configured to receive data associated with the detected reflections from the sensor and fit a line or plane to received data. In addition, the computing system is configured to determine at least one of an orientation of the frame or a distance between the frame and the field surface based on the fitted line or plane.

A soil imaging system having a work layer sensor disposed on an agricultural implement to generate an electromagnetic field through a soil area of interest as the agricultural implement traverses a field. A monitor in communication with the work layer sensor is adapted to generate a work layer image of the soil layer of interest based on the generated electromagnetic field. The work layer sensor may also generate a reference image by generating an electromagnetic field through undisturbed soil. The monitor may compare at least one characteristic of the reference image with at least one characteristic of the work layer image to generate a characterized image of the work layer of interest. The monitor may display operator feedback and may effect operational control of the agricultural implement based on the characterized image.

In one embodiment, a frame member; a toolbar coupled to the frame member, the toolbar parallel to, and rearward of, the frame member; a row unit coupled to the toolbar; and an actuator coupled between the frame member and the toolbar, the actuator configured to rotate the toolbar based on a sensed position of the toolbar.

An agricultural product control system for an agricultural implement includes an actuator configured to control a penetration depth of an agricultural product application system within soil, a sensor positioned above a surface of the soil and configured to output a sensor signal indicative of agricultural product above the surface of the soil, and a controller including a memory and a processor. The controller is configured to receive the sensor signal indicative of the agricultural product above the surface of the soil, and output a control signal to the actuator indicative of instructions to adjust the penetration depth of the agricultural product application system based on the sensor signal indicative of the agricultural product above the surface of the soil.

A system for monitoring the levelness of a multi-wing agricultural implement may include a central frame section, a wing section pivotably coupled to the central frame section and a field contour sensor configured to generate data indicative of a contour of an aft portion of the field located rearward of the implement relative to a direction of travel of the implement. The system may further include a controller communicatively coupled to the field contour sensor. The controller may be configured to monitor the data received from the field contour sensor and assess a levelness of the implement based at least in part on the contour of the aft portion of the field.

A method and system for estimating surface roughness of a ground for an off-road vehicle to control steering of a vehicle, an implement, or both, comprises detecting motion data of an off-road vehicle traversing a field or work site during a sampling interval. A first sensor is adapted to detect pitch data of the off-road vehicle for the sampling interval to obtain a pitch acceleration. A second sensor is adapted to detect roll data of the off-road vehicle for the sampling interval to obtain a roll acceleration. An electronic data processor or surface roughness index module determines or estimates a surface roughness index based on the detected motion data, pitch data and roll data for the sampling interval. The surface roughness index can be displayed on the graphical display to a user or operator of the vehicle.

An agricultural implement includes a transversely extending frame forming a first, a second, and a third frame section. A first actuator is coupled to the first frame section, a second actuator coupled to the second frame section, and a third actuator coupled to the third frame section. Sensors are coupled to each frame section to detect a height of the respective frame section relative to an underlying surface. A control unit is disposed in electrical communication with the sensors and operably controls the actuators to adjust the height of each frame section.

A system measures the roughness of the ground surface over which an agricultural implement passes as measured in the direction of travel. The system includes at least one ground sensor attached to the agricultural implement that provides measurement of the distance to the ground. A controller is connected to the at least one ground sensor, and controls at least one adjustment of the agricultural implement. The at least one ground sensor provides instantaneous output based on the distance to the ground to the controller. The controller then calculates at least one statistical parameter from the instantaneous output. The at least one statistical parameter is calculated from variations in the distance to the ground in the direction of travel of the agricultural implement.